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

So if an audience stays in the same spot for the entire night, they will see the same scene occur six times every 15 minutes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

The festival is offering a space to do these shows, but also for an audience to have the night out and trust that the show is not going to injure you.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

"I'm well aware that sometimes Europe can be seen as a continent that is slower than others," Macron told an audience of Japanese business leaders and investors in Tokyo.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

On its website, Rightmove claims it gives agents "access and brand exposure to the UK's largest and most engaged home-moving audience."

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

And when her audience dwindled and died, her wallpaper peeled and her bricks crumbled, many believed she, too, had perished.

From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny

Related Words

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