listening post

American  

noun

1. Military. a post or position, as in advance of a defensive line, established for the purpose of listening to detect the enemy's movements.

2. any foreign country or city viewed as a source of intelligence about an enemy or rival nation or one that is a potential enemy.

3. any concealed position maintained to obtain information.

   The government had listening posts to keep informed of revolutionary activities.

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listening post British  

noun

1.  LP.  military a forward position set up to obtain early warning of enemy movement

2. any strategic position or place for obtaining information about another country or area

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Etymology

Origin of listening post

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

More controversial, according to two former government officials, Nunes tried to use his junior perch on the Intelligence Committee to install a National Security Agency listening post at Lajes.

From New York Times • Apr. 24, 2018

He also spent countless, monotonous hours gathering intelligence at a listening post about sinister figures who lurked in the shadows and closely monitored the movements of Border Patrol agents.

From Washington Times • Mar. 9, 2018

A "Hobbit" house, a cabbies' shelter and a World War One listening post are among five buildings that have been given listed status, as Historic England marks 70 years of the practice.

From BBC • Aug. 6, 2017

He set up a listening post on a cliffside to intercept Cuban radio transmissions.

From The New Yorker • Feb. 18, 2017

Kappe described a radio monitor position at the listening post.

From Nazi Saboteurs by Samantha Seiple