audience

American  

[aw-dee-uhns] / ˈɔ di əns /

noun

1. the group of spectators at a public event; listeners or viewers collectively, as in attendance at a theater or concert.

   The audience was respectful of the speaker's opinion.

2. the persons reached by a book, radio or television broadcast, etc.; public.

   Some works of music have a wide and varied audience.

3. a regular public that manifests interest, support, enthusiasm, or the like; a following.

   Every art form has its audience.

4. opportunity to be heard; chance to speak to or before a person or group; a hearing.

5. a formal interview with a sovereign, high officer of government, or other high-ranking person.

   an audience with the pope.

6. the act of hearing, or attending to, words or sounds.

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audience British  

/ ˈɔːdɪəns /

noun

1. a group of spectators or listeners, esp at a public event such as a concert or play

2. the people reached by a book, film, or radio or television programme

3. the devotees or followers of a public entertainer, lecturer, etc; regular public

4. an opportunity to put one's point of view, such as a formal interview with a monarch or head of state

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Grammar

See collective noun.

Other Word Forms

• proaudience adjective

Etymology

Origin of audience

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin audientia “act of listening, group of listeners,” from audient-, stem of audiēns “hearing” (present participle of audīre “to hear”) + -ia -ia ( def. )

Example Sentences

“The amount of computing necessary for AI is skyrocketing,” Huang told the Las Vegas audience Monday afternoon, pacing the stage wearing a shiny black jacket in a crocodile-scale pattern.

From The Wall Street Journal

The promo seemed like an odd choice given how the network evening news anchor has traditionally been a position requiring gravitas and comforting familiarity for its habit-driven audience.

From Los Angeles Times

Wearing his trademark black leather jacket, Huang told an audience of hundreds that the project has taught Nvidia "an enormous amount" about how to help partners build robotic systems.

From BBC

When Maduro walked into the room - the same federal courtroom where Sean "Diddy" Combs was tried and convicted just months earlier - he turned around to nod at several members of the audience and greet them.

From BBC

Several cities built public theaters where audiences watched dissections for entertainment.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• congregation
• crowd
• gallery
• gathering
• market
• public