spectator

noun

spec·​ta·​tor ˈspek-ˌtā-tər 

spek-ˈtā-

1

: one who looks on or watches

2

: a shoe having contrasting colors with a perforated design at the toe and sometimes heel

spectator adjective

spectatorial

ˌspek-tə-ˈtȯr-ē-əl 

adjective

spectatorship

ˈspek-ˌtā-tər-ˌship 

spek-ˈtā-

noun

Synonyms

• observer
• viewer

Examples of spectator in a Sentence

The spectators lining the road cheered the racers on.

The accident attracted a large crowd of spectators.

I wasn't a participant in the preparations, merely a spectator.

Recent Examples on the Web

Following the exercise’s finale, two drones carrying Russian and Belarusian flags hovered in front of spectators. —Patrick Reevell, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2025

While telescopes certainly will enhance the view, spectators don't necessarily need any equipment to spot Venus, the moon and Regulus in the pre-dawn sky from the Northern Hemisphere. —Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2025

Video of the incident shows students screaming and fleeing, and 911 calls reveal spectators’ panic seeing Kirk be struck by the bullet. —Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2025

At SailGP events spectators sit in stands and watch a complex ballet of high tech competition on water. —Tom Mullen, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from spectare to watch

First Known Use

circa 1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing spectator

• spectator sport

Kids Definition

spectator

noun

spec·​ta·​tor ˈspek-ˌtāt-ər 

spek-ˈtāt-

: a person who looks on (as at a sports event)

spectator adjective