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]

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

The conference in Shanghai shows both the extent and the limits of its reach, with limited involvement of American firms despite what state media called record attendance at this year’s event. — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 17 July 2026

The festival began as a humble luncheon in 1978, growing into a phenomenon with an annual attendance of around 100,000. — Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 17 July 2026

Across more than 100 headline shows over the past two years, Gillis has sold more than 1 million tickets, setting 34 venue attendance and ticket sales records along the way. — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 17 July 2026

The match broke the attendance record for a women’s sporting event in New York City history. — Chantelle Lee, Time, 17 July 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