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.
Many customers returned for additional training or to listen in, which created a community space where people, especially those who couldn’t afford other training classes and even young teenagers, could learn more about gun safety and chat, Cornell said. Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2025 As co-writers and directors, the Adams transform their unique relationship into a haunting exploration of existential dread that feels like listening in on a private family conversation. Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 1 Aug. 2025 Tools that can listen in the background and auto-generate clinical notes are reshaping how physicians, NPs, and PAs manage documentation. David Chou, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025 Marianne listens in shock to her daughter's story about her surgical intern friend. Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 July 2025 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 19 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

listen in

verb
1
: to listen to a broadcast
2
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!