# wiretapping

/ˈwaɪɝˌtæpɪŋ/ (US) · /wˈaɪətæpɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/wiretapping
Updated: 2026-05-31

## Definition

the act of listening to or recording a phone call without the person's permission. It is often done by the police or spies to find information.

For teachers: the practice of secretly listening to or recording a telephone conversation without the knowledge of the participants. Often involves the physical tapping of a line or the use of electronic surveillance.

## Examples

- The police used wiretapping to find the criminal's location.
- The investigation relied heavily on wiretapping to gather evidence against the suspect's associates.
- Legal scholars debated the constitutionality of the wiretapping, arguing that the government had failed to obtain a warrant before intercepting the private communications.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.