spectator

1 of 2

noun (1)

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

spectatorship

2 of 2

noun (2)

spec·​ta·​tor·​ship

1

obsolete : the condition of being viewed or submitted for viewing

2

: the condition of being a spectator especially as distinguished from a participant

Synonyms of spectator

Noun (1)

• observer
• viewer

Examples of spectator in a Sentence

Noun (1)

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

Noun

The two-day expo is expected to attract more than 36,000 runners, spectators and vendors. — Tyler M. Carmona, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026

Bart Jansen Interest in the hearing was running high in the Dirksen Senate Office Building, where a line of spectators stretched down the hall for a chance at a seat in Room 342. — Bart Jansen, USA Today, 29 July 2026

In another clip, spectators crowd around a robot because everything appears under control. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026

In 1980, Edison defeated Fountain Valley 14-0 in the CIF-SS Big Five Conference championship before 28,969 spectators at Angel Stadium. — Dan Albano, Oc Register, 28 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1) and Noun (2)

Latin, from spectare to watch

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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