lis·ten (lĭs'ən)
intr.v., -tened, -ten·ing, -tens.

1. To make an effort to hear something: listen to the radio; listening for the bell.
2. To pay attention; heed: "She encouraged me to listen carefully to what country people called mother wit" (Maya Angelou).

n.
An act of listening: Would you like to give the CD a listen before buying it?

phrasal verb:

listen in

1. To listen to a conversation between others; eavesdrop.
2. To tune in and listen to a broadcast.

[Middle English listenen, alteration (influenced by listen, to list, listen; see list⁴) of Old English hlysnan.]

listener lis'ten·er n.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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