listening

Etymology 1

From Middle English listnynge, lustninde, from Old English hlysnende, equivalent to listen + -ing.

adj

1. Of something or someone that listens.
   Any listening person can tell she's lying.
2. Of something that is used in order to hear or to improve the ability to hear.
   He could hear better when he used his listening device.
3. Of an action that is performed with caution and attention to sounds.

verb

1. present participle and gerund of listen

Etymology 2

From Middle English listnynge, lustnynge, lystenynge, equivalent to listen + -ing.

noun

1. Action of the verb listening
2. An educational exercise involving listening
   OK, students, today we're going to do a couple of listenings about the environment, then a reading about crime.
3. Skill or ability of perceiving spoken language.
   You can improve your listening well by watching English-language films.