spectator

1 of 2

noun (1)

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

spectatorship

2 of 2

noun (2)

spec·​ta·​tor·​ship

1

obsolete : the condition of being viewed or submitted for viewing

2

: the condition of being a spectator especially as distinguished from a participant

Synonyms of spectator

Noun (1)

• observer
• viewer

Examples of spectator in a Sentence

Noun (1)

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

Noun

The giant pumpkin competition will take place Saturday, with pumpkins weighing more than a ton weighed in front of spectators throughout the day, according to the release. — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 29 Sep. 2026

Bud Brennan, a spectator at Memorial Stadium, races out of the stands and attempts to tackle Michigan’s Tom Harmon at the 3-yard line. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026

The stand is open to all using the park when the stand is open, so a lot of non-spectators weighed in. — Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 28 Sep. 2026

At first, the scuffle only involved the original two women, but quickly chaos broke out as smaller fights broke out all over from around a dozen friends or spectators, the report read. — Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1) and Noun (2)

Latin, from spectare to watch

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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