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
-
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
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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.
That plan, executed between 1981 and 1997, drastically underestimated the 21st-century’s stark increase in mass tourism and museum attendance.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2026
Among those in attendance at the funeral in Portaferry, County Down, were Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill, as well as fellow Olympian Rhys McClenaghan and 1972 gold medallist Lady Mary Peters.
From BBC ● Nov. 3, 2026
This show set the record for the largest ever indoor rock concert attendance of 76,896, which would be broken by Led Zeppelin in the same place two years later.
From Salon ● Nov. 3, 2026
“The department is in free fall. My motto is ‘Help is on the way,’” Villanueva said, prompting nods of affirmation from the three dozen or so professionals in attendance.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 31, 2026
Padva is always in attendance, and one or both Burgess sisters are a staple.
From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
