listened; listening
ˈli-sᵊn-iŋ 
ˈlis-niŋ
1
: to pay attention to sound
listen to music
2
: to hear something with thoughtful attention : give consideration
listen to a plea
3
: to be alert to catch an expected sound
listen for his step
archaic
: to give ear to : hear
Examples of listen in a Sentence
Verb
I listened as hard as I could, but I couldn't hear a word of what he said over all that noise.
She listened with interest as he told her about his travels.
She tried to warn him of the dangers, but he wouldn't listen.
Recent Examples on the Web
Sid Evans, Southern Living, 22 Apr. 2025
Audioslave may no longer be an active band since the tragic loss of frontman Chris Cornell years ago, but that doesn’t mean people aren’t still listening to the music that the group left behind.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Brittney Melton, NPR, 23 Apr. 2025
Hull's new album A Tip Toe High Wire is her first in five years, and her songwriting and mandolin skills emanate coziness throughout making each listen feel akin to sitting on the porch in the summer breeze.
—Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for listen
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Verb
Download and listen to this episode of Biscuits & Jam with Randy Travis on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or everywhere podcasts are available.
—Sid Evans, Southern Living, 22 Apr. 2025
Audioslave may no longer be an active band since the tragic loss of frontman Chris Cornell years ago, but that doesn’t mean people aren’t still listening to the music that the group left behind.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
Today's listen Poyenchen, Andrew Quinn/Compiled by NPR The Museum for the United Nations – UN Live released its second annual Earth Day mixtape yesterday.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 23 Apr. 2025
Hull's new album A Tip Toe High Wire is her first in five years, and her songwriting and mandolin skills emanate coziness throughout making each listen feel akin to sitting on the porch in the summer breeze.
—Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for listen
Cite this Entry
“Listen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/listen. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
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