1. to listen secretly to a private conversation

Examples

• She tried to eavesdrop on her parents’ conversation about her birthday party.
• The detective eavesdropped on the suspects through the thin wall.
• It’s rude to eavesdrop when people are having a private discussion.
• He accidentally eavesdropped on his coworkers talking about layoffs.
• The children were caught eavesdropping outside the principal’s office.
• Security cameras can’t eavesdrop on conversations, but microphones can.