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

Producer Randy Weiner and his wife, the director Diane Paulus, needed to get the audience in lockstep from the start to the finish of the show in just under two hours.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

When it premiered at last year’s South by Southwest Film & TV Festival, “Fantasy Life” garnered a special jury prize for Peet’s performance and an audience award.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

Williams, Reese and other celebrities did hold speaking events over the weekend, though the audience was mostly empty, Kerr said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

Talking tough against our oldest allies may resonate with a narrow slice of the president’s base, but to a broader audience it raises uncomfortable questions.

From Salon • Apr. 1, 2026

The spiritual press appealed to their typically liberal audience with articles on the benefits of racial equality and leadership qualities in women.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

Related Words

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