horn in

verb

horned in; horning in; horns in

intransitive verb

1
: to join in something (such as a conversation) without invitation or consent : intrude
… awkwardly horning in during a high-level chat …A. B. Stoddard
usually used with on
He always horns in on the conversation.
They horned in on our game.
2
: to forcibly take control or possession from another
Sometimes I fed him … . When other gulls tried to horn in, he fought them off, three, four at a time.Barry Stringfellow
usually used with on
won't let anyone else horn in on their territory
overseas producers look to horn in on the U.S. market

Word History

First Known Use

1905, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of horn in was in 1905

Dictionary Entries Near horn in

Cite this Entry

“Horn in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/horn%20in. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

horn in

verb
horned in; horning in
: intrude
horn in on the conversation

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