listening noun. ['lɪs(ǝ)nɪŋ] ME.
[from LISTEN verb + -ING¹.]
1. The action of LISTEN verb; an instance of this. Also listening-in. ME.
■ Tennyson Lonely listenings to my mutter'd dream. Saturday Evening Post These telephones were connected with a listening-in device concealed behind a picture on the wall.

2. With qualifying adjective: broadcast, recorded, or other matter for listening to, esp. with reference to its quality or kind. M20.
Church Times Other incidents in his life also made interesting listening.

Comb.:
listening gallery Fortification an advanced trench or gallery used to listen to the movements of an enemy; listening post Military an advanced position used to discover movements or the disposition of an enemy; transf. a station for intercepting electronic communications, a position from which to listen.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲