readership

noun

read·​er·​ship ˈrē-dər-ˌship 

1

a

: the office or position of a reader

b

: the quality or state of being a reader

2

: the mass or a particular group of readers

a magazine's readership

Examples of readership in a Sentence

She holds a readership in chemistry.

Recent Examples on the Web

From trade show audiences reading the daily newspaper to countries where there is still active print readership (Germany, for example) to the few industries that have not yet switched to digital, there are niches where print still works. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

In recent decades, competition and changing readership patterns have led to the closure or downsizing of multiple city or state-wide newspapers. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 6 July 2026

More than two-thirds of the newspaper’s readership base was located outside of Chicago by the start of World War I, according to the Defender. — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026

Their once formidable left wing media army – led by CNN, the Washington Post and 60 Minutes – is dwindling to just a ragtag few that have forfeited their power, influence, ratings and readership. — Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 18 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1719, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for readership

• authorship
• battleship
• censorship
• chairmanship
• chieftainship
• comradeship
• consulship
• craftsmanship
• dealership
• draftsmanship
• fellowship
• fingertip

Kids Definition

readership

noun

read·​er·​ship ˈrēd-ər-ˌship 

: a group of readers