readership

[ree-der-ship]

noun

the people who read or are thought to read a particular book, newspaper, magazine, etc.: The periodical has a dwindling readership.
the duty, status, or profession of a reader.
(especially in British universities) the position of instructor or lecturer.

the state or quality of being a reader: appealing to a higher level of readership.

Origin of readership

First recorded in 1710–20; reader + -ship

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for readership

Contemporary Examples of readership

Its readership expands in times when more of us need its particular brand of salve.
What the Forward Prize Doesn’t Recognize About Poets
Mandy Kahn
July 13, 2014
It has existed, over its long history, in both expanded and contracted states in terms of its readership.
What the Forward Prize Doesn’t Recognize About Poets
Mandy Kahn
July 13, 2014
And as its influence and readership expands, the paper is feeling the wrath of Hollywood mega-stars.
Hollywood vs. The Daily Mail: George Clooney and Angelina Jolie Take On The UK's Leanest, Meanest Gossip Machine
Lizzie Crocker, Lloyd Grove
July 12, 2014
Try as they might to connect to their readership via blogpost of their outfits, something feels inherently false.
Tavi Gevinson: From Teen Fashion Queen to Broadway Star
Arabelle Sicardi
July 12, 2014
His readership is small; the site gets roughly 10,000 page views a day.
He Bullies Kids and Calls It News
Brandy Zadrozny
June 26, 2014

Historical Examples of readership

The office of readership to this society had been offered to Cowper, but was declined by him.
The Works of William Cowper
William Cowper
In the present day the readership is purely honorary and without duties.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 14, Slice 5
Various

British Dictionary definitions for readership

readership

noun

all the readers collectively of a particular publication or authora readership of five million; Dickens's readership
mainly British the office, position, or rank of university reader

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for readership

1719, "office of a reader," from reader + -ship. Meaning "total number of readers of a publication" is from 1914.