I. ˈlis( ə )niŋ noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English listning, from gerund of listnen to listen
: the act of one that listens ; especially : the monitoring of a foreign broadcast
methods used internally to combat foreign listening — Tangye Lean
II. adjective
Etymology: from present participle of listen (I)
1. : alert to or receptive of sound
two underwater listening stations — J.W.Cross
specifically : receiving radio broadcasts
listening homes … were presumably exposed to the product's other forms of advertising — T.J.Allard
2. : facilitating the reception of sound
listening galleries
wore his listening button in his ear — William Faulkner