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
Katia Hetter, CNN, 21 Nov. 2024
My parents listened, believed, and invested in my dream to create an international university for the arts.
—Indiewire Staff, IndieWire, 20 Nov. 2024
Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 20 Oct. 2024
The actress and singer, 26, is bringing her signature raspy voice to Joan Didion’s first nonfiction essay collection, Slouching Towards Bethlehem, in a new audiobook format — and PEOPLE has an exclusive first listen.
—Bailey Richards, People.com, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for listen 
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Verb
And listen to your body—know your limits and be cautious especially when facing the extremes of weather.
—Katia Hetter, CNN, 21 Nov. 2024
My parents listened, believed, and invested in my dream to create an international university for the arts.
—Indiewire Staff, IndieWire, 20 Nov. 2024
Noun
That was decades and dozens and dozens of listens ago.
—Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 20 Oct. 2024
The actress and singer, 26, is bringing her signature raspy voice to Joan Didion’s first nonfiction essay collection, Slouching Towards Bethlehem, in a new audiobook format — and PEOPLE has an exclusive first listen.
—Bailey Richards, People.com, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for listen
Dictionary Entries Near listen
Cite this Entry
“Listen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/listen. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
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