attendance
Americannoun
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the act of attending.
-
the persons or number of persons present.
an attendance of more than 300 veterans.
idioms
noun
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the act or state of attending
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the number of persons present
an attendance of 5000 at the festival
-
obsolete attendants collectively; retinue
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of attendance
1325–75; Middle English < Anglo-French, Middle French. See attend, -ance
Explanation
Attendance has to do with being present at something, like work or school. If you never miss a day, you have perfect attendance. The concept of attendance has to do with showing up: if you show up for school, then your attendance is not in question. When people miss school or work, they usually need a note from a doctor, explaining why they weren't in attendance. We can also say "The attendance was 100" if 100 people showed up to a meeting. If only three people out of 100 showed up though, you'd say, "Wow. Attendance was terrible."
Vocabulary lists containing attendance
A Graduation Lexicon
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Since the mid-20th century, these churches have seen attendance dwindle.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 25, 2026
White said before asking Jean’s father, Brent Markel, who was in attendance, if the couple had his blessing.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 24, 2026
The occasion provides an opportunity for Beijing's number-two leader to deliver a message about the Chinese economy to the influential group of tech and business leaders in attendance.
From Barron's • Jun. 24, 2026
He quickly noticed that he was just one of two men in attendance.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 23, 2026
Aside from the annoying fact that my parents could always sense when I disobeyed them, Mama actually worked in the office of my school, just two narrow desks away from the daily attendance rolls.
From "The Rock and the River" by Kekla Magoon
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
