attendance

noun

at·​ten·​dance ə-ˈten-dən(t)s 

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]

see also:

dance attendance

Examples of attendance in a Sentence

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

Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, a Republican, also opposed Mamdani's attendance, though the two shook hands there Friday. — Arkansas Online, 12 Sep. 2026

Vaccination mandates for public-school attendance have been key to this progress. — Roshan N. Bransden, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2026

Beijing confirmed Xi's attendance at the event on Thursday, marking the Chinese president's first visit to India since 2019, and since ties deteriorated following deadly border clashes in 2020. — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2026

But the rancor around his attendance at the ceremony has shown no sign of abating. — Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see attend

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing attendance

• attendance officer
• dance attendance
• in attendance
• take attendance

Rhymes for attendance

• ascendance
• dependance
• dependence
• transcendence
• interdependence
• superintendence
• tendance

Kids Definition

attendance

noun

at·​ten·​dance ə-ˈten-dən(t)s 

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 

: service at a hospital

a physician in attendance