eavesdropping

3 definitions • 3 examples

the action of listening to someone's private conversation from close by without them knowing:

I was trying not to listen to their conversation, but I finally gave up and started some serious eavesdropping.

the action of listening to someone without them knowing by using an electronic listening device, for example attached to a telephone line:

Telecommunications companies helped the security agency conduct eavesdropping without warrants.

There is concern over spy satellites and electronic eavesdropping.