audition

play

noun au·di·tion \ ȯ-ˈdi-shən \

Definition of audition

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

See audition defined for English-language learners

See audition defined for kids

audition was our Word of the Day on 12/20/2007. Hear the podcast!

Recent Examples of audition from the Web

Auditions will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 5-6, at the Meeting House at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St. Participants do not need to wear a costume, but will be asked to read two to three lines.

— michelle mullins, Naperville Sun, "This Week in Naperville," 29 Aug. 2017
Before his visit to Mobile, Penick went to seven auditions in one week.

— bob carlton, AL.com, "Popular Alabama deli makes list of 'Best Sandwich Shop in Every State'," 22 Aug. 2017
Two days after auditions — cast selections made — Boettcher passed away suddenly.

— angela denk, Daily Southtown, "Show goes on for Flossmoor professional theater, despite death of founding member," 18 Aug. 2017
As luck would have it, a Saturday Night Live scout ended up attending Slate’s second show, leading to her getting an audition.

— ethan sapienza, The Cut, "Jenny Slate Got Her Big Break With the Help of Gloria Estefan and a Psychic," 9 Aug. 2017
There will be 10 contestants preselected through an audition process.

— Howard County Times, "Howard County Fair offers a mix of old and new events [Lisbon/Woodbine]," 3 Aug. 2017
Joining a major American orchestra takes exceptional musicianship, years of training and – not least – a great audition.

— janelle gelfand, Cincinnati.com, "Changing the face of American orchestras, one player at a time," 21 July 2017
So the organization hosted open auditions at Barclays on Tuesday afternoon to find a replacement.

— jen kirby, Daily Intelligencer, "Meet the Future Voice of the Brooklyn Nets. Maybe.," 21 July 2017
Linkin Park rapper Mike Shinoda recalled to Kerrang in 2008, describing Bennington’s 1999 audition for Shinoda’s new group that was looking to blend hip-hop and metal.

— spencer kornhaber, The Atlantic, "Remembering Chester Bennington," 20 July 2017

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

Did You Know?

Today, "audition" most often refers to a theatrical tryout, but that wasn't always the case. "Audition" is rooted in the Latin verb audire, meaning "to hear," and was first used in the late 16th century to refer to the power or sense of hearing. "Audire" is also the root of such "hearing" words in English as "audible," "audience" (which first meant "the act or state of hearing"), and the prefix audio-, which appears in various words relating to sound. It wasn't until 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.

Origin and Etymology of audition

Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin audition-, auditio, from audire

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1599

See Words from the same year

Other Performing Arts Terms

diva, dramaturgy, loge, prestidigitation, proscenium, supernumerary, zany

audition

verb

Definition of audition

auditioned; auditioning play \-ˈdi-sh(ə-)niŋ\

transitive verb

:to test or try out especially in an audition

intransitive verb

:to give a trial performance

See audition defined for English-language learners

Examples of audition in a Sentence

When he came in to audition, he was very charming.
They auditioned several girls for the role.
We will audition dancers today.

Recent Examples of audition from the Web

Of course, I hadn’t auditioned in 18 years by that point.

— david lyman, Cincinnati.com, "Van Ackerman is – drumroll – Man in Chair," 28 July 2017
The Finz — singer-guitarist Jason Barber, bassist-singer Jackson Ecker, vocalist Hudson Fell, drummer Brandon Wink and keyboardist Iggy Morales — auditioned for the fair about a year ago.

— kathleen luppi, Daily Pilot, "None of them is older than 11, but the Finz are ready to rock the OC Fair on Friday," 20 July 2017
Christie is one of a number people auditioning to replace Francesa after 28 years in afternoon drive on the sports talk station.

— christopher rosen, EW.com, "Chris Christie slammed by sports radio caller in viral clip," 10 July 2017
Tupac, who tagged along with Digital Underground member Money B, auditioned on the spot.

— ronda racha penrice, The Root, "Juice at 25: Director Ernest Dickerson Talks Tupac, Hip-Hop and the Film’s Enduring Legacy," 13 June 2017
Note: Singers who plan to audition in one of the cities listed here shouldn't expect to see Perry as part of the initial judging panel.

— mary colurso, AL.com, "'American Idol' auditions coming to Muscle Shoals, 18 other cities," 13 June 2017
Louisville’s Donovan Mitchell and Australian pro Terrance Ferguson, two viable candidates for the Charlotte Hornets’ No. 11 overall draft pick, are scheduled to audition at Spectrum Center Monday.

— rick bonnell, charlotteobserver, "Charlotte Hornets bring in two draft candidates with a good shot at their No. 11 pick," 11 June 2017
The group auditioned and earned the chance to sing at the Kennedy Center as a part of this year’s National Memorial Day Choral Festival and the centennial celebration of the birth of John F. Kennedy.

— by karen ridder, kansascity.com, "Liberty singers take the stage at Kennedy Center," 6 June 2017
Lewandowski has appeared to be auditioning for the post lately, appearing in the media defending Trump.

— kevin cirilli, Bloomberg.com, "Rose Garden Hug Ends Lewandowski’s Year-Long Rift With Kushner," 2 June 2017

First Known Use of audition

1931

Other Performing Arts Terms

diva, dramaturgy, loge, prestidigitation, proscenium, supernumerary, zany

AUDITION Defined for English Language Learners

audition

play

noun

Definition of audition for English Language Learners

: a short performance to show the talents of someone (such as an actor or a musician) who is being considered for a role in a play, a position in an orchestra, etc.

audition

verb

Definition of audition for English Language Learners

of a performer : to try out for a role in a play or film, a position in an orchestra, etc. : to perform in an audition
: to test (someone) in an audition

AUDITION Defined for Kids

audition

play

noun au·di·tion \ ȯ-ˈdi-shən \

Definition of audition for Students

:a short performance to test the talents of someone (as a singer, dancer, or actor)

audition

verb

Definition of audition for Students

auditioned; auditioning

:to test or try out in a short performance

He auditioned for a part in the play.

They auditioned her for the lead role.

Medical Dictionary

audition

play

noun au·di·tion \ ȯ-ˈdish-ən \

medical Definition of audition

1 :the power or sense of hearing

2 :the act of hearing

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See words that rhyme with audition Spanish Central: Translation of audition Nglish: Translation of audition for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of audition for Arabic speakers

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audition was our Word of the Day on 12/20/2007. Hear the podcast!

Recent Examples of audition from the Web

Did You Know?

Origin and Etymology of audition

Other Performing Arts Terms

audition

Definition of audition

Examples of audition in a Sentence

Recent Examples of audition from the Web

First Known Use of audition

Other Performing Arts Terms

AUDITION Defined for English Language Learners

audition

Definition of audition for English Language Learners

audition

Definition of audition for English Language Learners

AUDITION Defined for Kids

audition

Definition of audition for Students

audition

Definition of audition for Students

Medical Dictionary

audition

medical Definition of audition

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