audition

1 of 2

noun

au·​di·​tion ȯ-ˈdi-shən 

1

: the power or sense of hearing

2

: the act of hearing

especially : a critical hearing

an audition of new recordings

3

: a trial performance to appraise an entertainer's merits

audition

2 of 2

verb

auditioned; auditioning ȯ-ˈdi-sh(ə-)niŋ 

transitive verb

: to test or try out especially in an audition

intransitive verb

: to give a trial performance

Did you know?

Today, audition most often refers to an artistic performance, but that wasn’t always the case. Audition has roots in the Latin verb audīre meaning “to hear,” and was first used in the late 16th century to refer to the power or sense of hearing. Audīre is also the root of such hearing-related words in English as audible (“capable of being heard”), audience (which first meant “the act or state of hearing”), and the combining form audio-, which appears in various words relating to sound. It wasn’t until the late 19th century that the noun audition began being used for an entertainer’s trial performance. And the verb audition, meaning “to test or try out in an audition,” didn’t appear on the English language stage until the mid-20th century.

Examples of audition in a Sentence

Verb

When he came in to audition, he was very charming.

They auditioned several girls for the role.

We will audition dancers today.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Joined by Owen Wilson, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Zach Braff, six comedy kingpins dig deep on delusional auditions, nagging insecurities and bizarre fan interactions. —Lacey Rose, HollywoodReporter, 20 May 2026

The streaming giant has announced season three will premiere on June 16 with seven episodes, following current DCC members and those hopeful to join, from the audition process all the way till in-season performances at AT&T Stadium. —Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 May 2026

Verb

The next day there was an email in his inbox inviting him to audition as an understudy for Ali’s upcoming production in the park. —Juan A. Ramírez, Vogue, 20 May 2026

Audition process Each participant will get one minute to audition in front of a camera. —CBS News, 20 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Latin audītiōn-, audītiō "act of hearing, report, rumor," from audīre "to hear" + -tiōn- -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at audible entry 1

Verb

derivative of audition entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1931, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for audition

• addition
• admission
• ambition
• attrition
• clinician
• cognition
• coition
• commission
• condition
• contrition
• dentition
• dismission

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Kids Definition

audition

1 of 2 noun

au·​di·​tion ȯ-ˈdish-ən 

1

: the power or sense of hearing

2

: a short performance to test the talents of a musician, singer, dancer, or actor

audition

2 of 2 verb

auditioned; auditioning

-ˈdish-(ə-)niŋ

: to test or try out in an audition

Medical Definition

audition

noun

au·​di·​tion ȯ-ˈdish-ən 

1

: the power or sense of hearing

2

: the act of hearing