To stand under the eaves, near a window or at the door, of a house, to listen and learn what is said within doors; hence, to listen secretly to what is said in private
If you eavesdrop on someone, you listen secretly to what they are saying. The government illegally eavesdropped on his telephone conversations The housemaid eavesdropped from behind the kitchen door. = listen in + eavesdropping eaves·drop·ping foreign electronic eavesdropping on army communications. + eavesdropper eavesdroppers eaves·drop·per Modern technology enables eavesdroppers to pick up conversations through windows or walls. to deliberately listen secretly to other people's conversations overhear (eavesdropper )