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

John Legend also performed during the night, and his wife, Chrissy Teigen, shared a series of posts on her Instagram Story from her position in the audience at the event. —Jenna Wang, Peoplemag, 19 Nov. 2023

The cable network not only secured a true-crime audience, but also fed a thirst for those craving an uplifting story. —Emily Longeretta, Variety, 19 Nov. 2023

Click here to access the printable version of today’s CNN 10 transcript CNN 10 serves a growing audience interested in compact on-demand news broadcasts ideal for explanation seekers on the go or in the classroom. —CNN, 19 Nov. 2023

Many in the audience traveled to witness history in the making. —Sydney Haywood, NBC News, 18 Nov. 2023

Footage taken during the concert shows Swift had paused the performance to indicate fans who needed water in the audience and at one point could be seen throwing water into the crowd. —Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 18 Nov. 2023

It was given by Sabrina Melendez, introduced to the audience as a scholar, artist, and activist involved with the Autonomous University of Social Movements. —Peter Gattuso, National Review, 18 Nov. 2023

Those images were barely censored before being shown to American audiences, and prompted outrage at home. —Natasha Frost Maud Bodoukian Meyrant, New York Times, 18 Nov. 2023

The move is likely to broaden the audience for the event. —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 7 Nov. 2023

See More

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

• 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