viewer

American  

[vyoo-er] / ˈvyu ər /

noun

1. a person or thing that views.

2. a person who watches television, often a devotee of television or of a particular kind of television program.

   a weekly show aimed at teenage viewers.

3. any of various optical devices to facilitate viewing, view, especially one that is small and boxlike with a magnifying lens, and sometimes a light source, in which a photographic transparency may be viewed.

4. an eyepiece or viewfinder.

5. an official inspector of property, public works, or the like.

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viewer British  

/ ˈvjuːə /

noun

1. a person who views something, esp television

2. any optical device by means of which something is viewed, esp one used for viewing photographic transparencies

3. law a person appointed by a court to inspect and report upon property, etc

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Other Word Forms

• nonviewer noun
• underviewer noun
• viewership noun

Etymology

Origin of viewer

late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; view, -er ¹

Example Sentences

Two months ago, a dramatic World Series captured record numbers of viewers around the world.

From Los Angeles Times

Speaking about the explosive row that left viewers on the edge of their seats, and ultimately got herself banished, Fiona called herself a "plonker".

From BBC

The show has suffered from the changing habits of viewers, many of whom have turned to social media for trophy-show clips.

From Los Angeles Times

Beyond that, it’s a verbal encouragement for viewers who might not know about Victor’s film to seek it out.

From Salon

But all these companies are confronting the fact that it isn’t that easy to deliver bandwidth-heavy events to millions of viewers in real time on the internet.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• observer
• onlooker
• spectator
• watcher