listen in
verb
listened in; listening in; listens in
1
: to tune in to or monitor a broadcast
2
: to listen to a conversation without participating in it
especially
: eavesdrop
Examples of listen in in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Slowly, she’s observed how her children have listened in.
—
Jenna Wang, Peoplemag, 7 Nov. 2023
Everyone is welcome to listen in on the reading of the children’s book The Polar Express, written by Chris Van Allsburg, which inspired the journey.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 30 Oct. 2023
As a wealthy dentist convicted of killing his wife at the end of an African safari listened in court, her brother vowed on Monday to move her remains to a place that Larry Rudolph would never discover.
—Colleen Slevin, USA TODAY, 23 Aug. 2023
But listening in on their echolocation might be a key part in conserving the unique species, according to a study published July 27 in the journal Scientific Reports.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 27 July 2023
The researcher used a bat detector to listen in on the rats’ ultrasonic voices.
—WIRED, 7 Oct. 2023
Ahead of the trial, activist groups had criticized the court’s decision to reject requests for a public telephone line so people around the country could listen in on the trial.
—Trisha Thadani, Washington Post, 13 Sep. 2023
Audience members listened in as moderators discussed the influence of their careers on beauty.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 12 Sep. 2023
At another table, a pair of locals listen in to Wynn, commenting loud enough for others to hear.
—Tom Hallman, oregonlive, 17 Sep. 2023
See More
Jenna Wang, Peoplemag, 7 Nov. 2023
Everyone is welcome to listen in on the reading of the children’s book The Polar Express, written by Chris Van Allsburg, which inspired the journey.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 30 Oct. 2023
As a wealthy dentist convicted of killing his wife at the end of an African safari listened in court, her brother vowed on Monday to move her remains to a place that Larry Rudolph would never discover.
—Colleen Slevin, USA TODAY, 23 Aug. 2023
But listening in on their echolocation might be a key part in conserving the unique species, according to a study published July 27 in the journal Scientific Reports.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 27 July 2023
The researcher used a bat detector to listen in on the rats’ ultrasonic voices.
—WIRED, 7 Oct. 2023
Ahead of the trial, activist groups had criticized the court’s decision to reject requests for a public telephone line so people around the country could listen in on the trial.
—Trisha Thadani, Washington Post, 13 Sep. 2023
Audience members listened in as moderators discussed the influence of their careers on beauty.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 12 Sep. 2023
At another table, a pair of locals listen in to Wynn, commenting loud enough for others to hear.
—Tom Hallman, oregonlive, 17 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'listen in.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1905, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near listen in
Cite this Entry
“Listen in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/listen%20in. Accessed 1 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
listen in
verb1
: to listen to a broadcast
2
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