spectator

noun

spec·​ta·​tor ˈspek-ˌtā-tər 

spek-ˈtā-

1

: one who looks on or watches

2

: a shoe having contrasting colors with a perforated design at the toe and sometimes heel

spectator adjective

spectatorial

ˌspek-tə-ˈtȯr-ē-əl 

adjective

spectatorship

ˈspek-ˌtā-tər-ˌship 

spek-ˈtā-

noun

Synonyms of spectator

• observer
• viewer

Examples of spectator in a Sentence

The spectators lining the road cheered the racers on.

The accident attracted a large crowd of spectators.

I wasn't a participant in the preparations, merely a spectator.

Recent Examples on the Web

Denker said that 288,000 free tickets were requested through a lottery system — exceeding the 130,000 spectators whom organizers plan to host on each of the event's two days. — ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026

On Tuesday night, a spectator in his 20s collapsed while watching a baseball game between SSG Landers and LG Twins at a stadium in Incheon, west of Seoul. — Hyung-Jin Kim, Los Angeles Times, 5 Aug. 2026

Brook Smith, 13, was first in line when seating opened for spectators three hours before the scheduled opening-game start. — James Raia, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2026

The 85-year-old has been to the taste every year of its existence either a spectator or a worker. — Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from spectare to watch

First Known Use

circa 1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing spectator

• spectator sport

Kids Definition

spectator

noun

spec·​ta·​tor ˈspek-ˌtāt-ər 

spek-ˈtāt-

: a person who looks on (as at a sports event)

spectator adjective