listened; listening
ˈli-sᵊn-iŋ 
ˈlis-niŋ
1
: to pay attention to sound
listen to music
2
: to hear something with thoughtful attention : give consideration
listen to a plea
3
: to be alert to catch an expected sound
listen for his step
archaic
: to give ear to : hear
Examples of listen in a Sentence
Verb
I listened as hard as I could, but I couldn't hear a word of what he said over all that noise.
She listened with interest as he told her about his travels.
She tried to warn him of the dangers, but he wouldn't listen.
Recent Examples on the Web
Sid Evans, Southern Living, 22 Apr. 2025
Audioslave may no longer be an active band since the tragic loss of frontman Chris Cornell years ago, but that doesn’t mean people aren’t still listening to the music that the group left behind.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Brittney Melton, NPR, 26 Mar. 2025
The wrong approach relies exclusively on leverage and threats, ignores underlying concerns, bypasses process considerations, talks more than listens, and creates atmospheres of hostility that undermine long-term relationships.
—Robert Daugherty, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for listen
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.
Verb
Download and listen to this episode of Biscuits & Jam with Randy Travis on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or everywhere podcasts are available.
—Sid Evans, Southern Living, 22 Apr. 2025
Audioslave may no longer be an active band since the tragic loss of frontman Chris Cornell years ago, but that doesn’t mean people aren’t still listening to the music that the group left behind.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
Today's listen Evelyn Freja for NPR Rising harpist Ashley Jackson embraces African American spirituals, jazz and West African rhythms in her sophomore album, Take Me to The Water.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 26 Mar. 2025
The wrong approach relies exclusively on leverage and threats, ignores underlying concerns, bypasses process considerations, talks more than listens, and creates atmospheres of hostility that undermine long-term relationships.
—Robert Daugherty, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for listen
Cite this Entry
“Listen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/listen. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share