attendance

noun

at·​ten·​dance ə-ˈten-dən(t)s How to pronounce attendance (audio)
1
: the act or fact of attending something or someone
a physician in attendance
Attendance at the meeting is mandatory.
2
a
: the persons or number of persons attending something
Attendance at the soccer games has been increasing.
also : an account of persons attending
The teacher took attendance [=made a record of who was present] before starting class.
b
: the number of times a person attends
a student who has perfect attendance [=a student who has been present at every class]

Example Sentences

The team wants to double attendance at its games this season. Attendance is down so far this season. Museum attendances in the city have been increasing in recent years. Her grades are good, but how's her attendance?
Recent Examples on the Web In the late seventies, N.B.A.’s television ratings dropped, and some franchises struggled with attendance. Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2023 However, many season-ticket holders who boycotted the game were included in the attendance anyway since the MLS uses tickets distributed rather than a turnstile count in its crowd figures. Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2023 Celebrity friends including Cara Delevingne, Zoë Kravitz, and Riley’s BFF Kristen Stewart were all in attendance to celebrate the newlyweds. Naydeline Mejia, Women's Health, 16 Mar. 2023 Beckham's famous family was all in attendance — parents Victoria Beckham and David Beckham as well as siblings Romeo, Cruz, and Harper. Emily Strohm, Peoplemag, 15 Mar. 2023 The Bears’ average home attendance this season of 2,155 was the worst among 76 major-conference schools. Connor Letourneau, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 Mar. 2023 This year, Yergin says the delegate attendance is 7,500, along with a number of additional registrants, providing a significant economic impact to the local Houston economy. David Blackmon, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2023 With average attendance of 1,886, Central is one of the nation's 100 largest United Methodist congregations. Frank E. Lockwood, Arkansas Online, 7 Mar. 2023 But then the video screen changed to a goodbye message, wishing all in attendance a good night and safe return home, signaling the official end of the event. Yousef Srour, Variety, 5 Mar. 2023 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'attendance.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

see attend

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of attendance was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near attendance

Cite this Entry

“Attendance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attendance. Accessed 28 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

attendance

noun
at·​ten·​dance ə-ˈten-dən(t)s How to pronounce attendance (audio)
1
: the act of attending
2
a
: the number of persons attending
b
: the number of times a person attends
perfect attendance

Medical Definition

attendance

noun
at·​ten·​dance ə-ˈten-dən(t)s How to pronounce attendance (audio)
: service at a hospital
a physician in attendance
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!


Challenging Standardized Test Words, Vol. 2

  • a pencil broken in half on top of a test answer sheet
  • The business’s new computer system proved not to be a panacea.
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY