audience

[aw-dee-uhns]

noun

1. the group of spectators at a public event; listeners or viewers collectively, as in attendance at a theater or concert.

   The audience was respectful of the speaker's opinion.

2. the persons reached by a book, radio or television broadcast, etc.; public.

   Some works of music have a wide and varied audience.

3. a regular public that manifests interest, support, enthusiasm, or the like; a following.

   Every art form has its audience.

4. opportunity to be heard; chance to speak to or before a person or group; a hearing.

5. a formal interview with a sovereign, high officer of government, or other high-ranking person.

   an audience with the pope.

6. the act of hearing, or attending to, words or sounds.

audience

/ ˈɔːdɪəns /

noun

1. a group of spectators or listeners, esp at a public event such as a concert or play

2. the people reached by a book, film, or radio or television programme

3. the devotees or followers of a public entertainer, lecturer, etc; regular public

4. an opportunity to put one's point of view, such as a formal interview with a monarch or head of state

Grammar Note

See collective noun.

Other Word Forms

• proaudience adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of audience¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin audientia “act of listening, group of listeners,” from audient-, stem of audiēns “hearing” (present participle of audīre “to hear”) + -ia -ia ( def. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of audience¹

C14: from Old French, from Latin audientia a hearing, from audīre to hear

Example Sentences

Rare are the characters who emerge on the other side of a story in which they betray a vulnerable figure – for entirely logical reasons, mind you – and still be loved by the audience.

From Salon

That the audience is made privy to this deceit, including how Dennis forced his way into Roman’s life, casts a complex tension on their subsequent heart-to-hearts.

From Los Angeles Times

“This extra measure means the television audience will see the full, unedited interview on CBS and we will continue our practice of posting full transcripts and the unedited video online.”

From Los Angeles Times

Battered by this constant deluge of information, audiences have lost their ability to appreciate not only the art of satire, but its efficacy.

From Salon

Mr. Molesley endeared audiences with his hapless but well-meaning misadventures in the series, eventually transitioning from footman to local schoolteacher.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• congregation 
• crowd 
• gallery 
• gathering 
• market 
• public