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.
Seated near the senators, a woman in a crisp white uniform appears to listen in, her hands folded neatly in her lap. Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 25 June 2026 As the gut is considered a second brain, the process involves listening in with a stethoscope while manual, hands-on therapy helps the body shift more easily between fight-or-flight and not get stuck in one. Lydia Bell, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 June 2026 Adding to the comedy of the moment, Bateman then remembered that the episode’s mystery guest had been listening in on the entire exchange. Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 23 June 2026 But law enforcement agents were listening in on conversations between Lumbus and other members of the drug network, who expressed caution about the potency of nitazenes. Jonathan Moens — Bellingcat, STAT, 18 June 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 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

listen in

verb
1
: to listen to a broadcast
2
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