audience

noun

au·​di·​ence ˈȯ-dē-ən(t)s 

ˈä-

1

a

: a group of listeners or spectators

The concert attracted a large audience.

b

: a reading, viewing, or listening public

The film is intended for a young audience.

2

: a group of ardent admirers or devotees

has developed an enthusiastic audience for his ideas

3

a

: a formal hearing or interview

an audience with the pope

b

: an opportunity of being heard

4

: the act or state of hearing

Give me audience and heed what I say.

Synonyms

• cult
• followership
• following

Examples of audience in a Sentence

The concert attracted a large audience.

The audience clapped and cheered.

Her audience is made up mostly of young women.

Recent Examples on the Web

Do progressive and centrist viewers return to MSNBC and CNN? Cable-news audiences plunged during the Biden years, in part because the lack of the nonstop drama and crises that characterized Trump’s first term provided less reason to tune in regularly. —Josef Adalian, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2024

Based on these numbers, both companies have optimized their graphics architectures to serve specific and disparate audiences. —PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024

Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. —Jordan Kellogg, The Enquirer, 6 Nov. 2024

Powerful revenue models increasingly drive the propagation of false, misleading or inflammatory content to large audiences. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, "hearing, group of listeners, assembly, council," borrowed from Anglo-French, "hearing, group of listeners," borrowed from Latin audientia "act of listening, group of listeners," noun derivative of audient-, audiens, present participle of audīre "to hear" — more at audible entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Phrases Containing audience

• captive audience

Kids Definition

audience

noun

au·​di·​ence ˈȯd-ē-ən(t)s 

1

: a group that listens or watches (as at a play or concert)

2

: an interview with a person of high rank

3

: those of the general public who give attention to something said, done, or written

books with an audience of millions