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.
Bregman took it upon himself to force the team to prepare better, putting them on the spot with his impromptu pitcher tests and encouraging players to do their homework on starters the night before rather than just passively listening in hitting coach Pete Fatse’s hitters meetings. Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 11 July 2025 Smith wasn’t able to listen in conversations with his wife about the role of faith filling in the gaps in Christian scripture, at times even questioning her faith. Ben Morse, CNN Money, 25 June 2025 Radio listeners can listen in on PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR (Channel 90). Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 25 May 2025 Retrofitting a luxury Boeing BA.N 747-8 airplane offered by Qatar's royal family would require security upgrades, communications improvements to prevent spies from listening in and equipment to fend off incoming missiles, experts said. Reuters, USA Today, 20 May 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 15 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

listen in

verb
1
: to listen to a broadcast
2
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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