listen in

verb

listened in; listening in; listens in

intransitive verb

1
: to tune in to or monitor a broadcast
2
: to listen to a conversation without participating in it
especially : eavesdrop
listener-in
ˌli-sᵊn-ər-ˈin How to pronounce listen in (audio)
ˌlis-nər-
noun

Examples of listen in in a Sentence

it's not polite to listen in on other people's private conversations
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Electronic bugs are installed, secretaries listen in on every phone call and conversation, and rock 'n roll is banned in this cruel culture of absolute secrecy. Jeff Spry, Space.com, 29 May 2026 Such venues were the office space of August Wilson, who claimed that listening in on conversations helped shape his astounding facility for translating natural human speech to the stage. Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 29 May 2026 Armed with a powerful new AI processor, the Liberty 5 Pro Max buds go beyond playing audio, and also listen in on your in-person meetings. New Atlas, 22 May 2026 And if one of you has something positive to share, the other must listen in order to share in that positivity, too. Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for listen in

Word History

First Known Use

1905, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of listen in was in 1905

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Listen in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/listen%20in. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

listen in

verb
1
: to listen to a broadcast
2
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