audience

noun

au·​di·​ence ˈȯ-dē-ən(t)s 

ˈä-

1

a

: a group of listeners or spectators

The concert attracted a large audience.

b

: a reading, viewing, or listening public

The film is intended for a young audience.

2

: a group of ardent admirers or devotees

has developed an enthusiastic audience for his ideas

3

a

: a formal hearing or interview

an audience with the pope

b

: an opportunity of being heard

4

: the act or state of hearing

Give me audience and heed what I say.

Synonyms

• cult
• followership
• following

Examples of audience in a Sentence

The concert attracted a large audience.

The audience clapped and cheered.

Her audience is made up mostly of young women.

Recent Examples on the Web

Those platforms are sharply increasing in audience. —Melonee Hurt, The Courier-Journal, 12 June 2024

Choose relevant and popular topics your audience cares about One of the best ways to create an engaging guest post is to write about a hot topic that your target audience really cares about. —Jon Stojan, The Arizona Republic, 12 June 2024

Content oversight and quality assurance provided by Bay Area News Group. Bay Area News Group advertising leadership oversees sponsored, native, and paid content on this platform, ensuring its quality, relevance, and helpfulness for our audience. —Steven Larue, The Mercury News, 12 June 2024

At another point in the show, which was held on the first day of Pride Month, Adele hit back at an audience member who disparaged the celebration dedicated to LGBTQ+ community members. —Catherine Santino, Peoplemag, 11 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, "hearing, group of listeners, assembly, council," borrowed from Anglo-French, "hearing, group of listeners," borrowed from Latin audientia "act of listening, group of listeners," noun derivative of audient-, audiens, present participle of audīre "to hear" — more at audible entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Phrases Containing audience

• captive audience

Kids Definition

audience

noun

au·​di·​ence ˈȯd-ē-ən(t)s 

1

: a group that listens or watches (as at a play or concert)

2

: an interview with a person of high rank

3

: those of the general public who give attention to something said, done, or written

books with an audience of millions