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

She wants to be seen as principled and reasonable without ever taking a stand that would alienate a lucrative audience segment.

From Salon

The series, which has broken Apple TV audience records previously held by “Severance,” raises philosophical questions about the nature of happiness, altruism and personal freedom.

From The Wall Street Journal

Hudson encourages the audience to use Claire’s stubborn buoyancy and perky accent as a life raft when Lightning & Thunder are deluged by extremely bad luck.

From Los Angeles Times

She was an artful, innovative interpreter of other people’s songs, in the vein of Frank Sinatra, in an era when audiences—and especially critics—were exalting the singer-songwriter model instead.

From The Wall Street Journal

He jumped down from the stage where he and the judges sat and joined the crowd, laughing and singing with the audience.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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