eavesdrop
verb (used without object)
to listen secretly to a private conversation.
eavesdropping
-
present participleof eavesdrop.present participle
A verb form that is used in progressive verb constructions and may also function as a modifier or a gerund.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It was part of a network of country houses with similar set-ups for eavesdropping, with the gathered intelligence then shared with Bletchley Park.
From Barron's ● Aug. 5, 2026
A big reason for its continued survival: the effective surveillance of all residents—including eavesdropping on calls—and its iron-fisted control of every aspect of society, from sports centers to concert halls.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 5, 2026
The moment the door to the flat was forced was recorded on an audio eavesdropping device - a bug - that UK law enforcement had put in the flat.
From BBC ● Mar. 6, 2026
Any attempt to intercept the quantum signals disturbs them, creating detectable errors that alert users to possible eavesdropping.
From Science Daily ● Feb. 17, 2026
“Big Rose, this storage room ain’t big enough for the two of us,” I said all low, just in case Mr. Ali was eavesdropping outside the door.
From "The Stars Beneath Our Feet" by David Barclay Moore
