eavesdrop

verb

eaves·​drop ˈēvz-ˌdräp How to pronounce eavesdrop (audio)
eavesdropped; eavesdropping; eavesdrops

intransitive verb

: to listen secretly to what is said in private
eavesdropper noun

Examples of eavesdrop in a Sentence

a nosy traveler who likes to eavesdrop on his fellow airline passengers
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.
Its purpose was to integrate intelligence from – and provide oversight over – all of the various intel elements of the U.S. government, including the CIA, the eavesdropping National Security Agency and several military intelligence agencies. Josh Meyer, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2025 Surgically implanted devices that allow paralyzed people to speak can also eavesdrop on their inner monologue. Jon Hamilton, NPR, 20 Aug. 2025 But the bigger reveal was his speech about being different, which played like a muted coming out (at least to an eavesdropping Jonathan). Charlie Mason, TVLine, 16 July 2025 Other Russian satellites have flown near Western communications satellites in geosynchronous orbit, likely in an attempt to eavesdrop on radio transmissions. Robert Pearlman, ArsTechnica, 11 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for eavesdrop

Word History

Etymology

probably back-formation from eavesdropper, literally, one standing under the drip from the eaves

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of eavesdrop was in 1606

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Eavesdrop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eavesdrop. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

eavesdrop

verb
eaves·​drop ˈēvz-ˌdräp How to pronounce eavesdrop (audio)
: to listen secretly to private conversation
eavesdropper noun

Legal Definition

eavesdrop

intransitive verb
eaves·​drop
eavesdropped; eavesdropping
: to listen secretly to what is being said in private without the consent of the speaker compare bug, wiretap
eavesdropper noun

More from Merriam-Webster on eavesdrop

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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