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.
Recusal rules should get an open hearing When asked about when justices should recuse themselves, Karofsky said there should be formal rules and guidelines, and that the public should be able to listen in on the process of creating those. Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 24 Oct. 2025 Sitting somewhere, putting on shoes, eating an apple, listening in headphones that sort of progresses into something a bit wilder. Ellise Shafer, Variety, 22 Oct. 2025 Harry was listening in remotely. Michael Holden, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025 Holly shared that being on the show taught her the importance of listening in a decades-long relationship. Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 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 25 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

listen in

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