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

With arenas such as the Cardiff City Stadium and Principality Stadium mentioned as potential future venues for Price fights, an eye-catching rivalry which captivates a worldwide audience would take her career to new heights.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

As the Vatican took over filming from the documentary crew during the private audience and did not use sound, Clark has recalled his experience of meeting the Pope.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

There’s a downside to such an organization of materials; an audience tends to tick off the episodes as they come along, knowing, in this case, how many innings there will be.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

“What can I say? Live TV,” host Jude Law told the audience during the show’s goodbye sequence that night.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

Most of the audience climbs to their feet, and they all bring their hands together to the mid-tempo, steady beat.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Related Words

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