audience
Americannoun
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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.
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the persons reached by a book, radio or television broadcast, etc.; public.
Some works of music have a wide and varied audience.
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a regular public that manifests interest, support, enthusiasm, or the like; a following.
Every art form has its audience.
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opportunity to be heard; chance to speak to or before a person or group; a hearing.
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a formal interview with a sovereign, high officer of government, or other high-ranking person.
an audience with the pope.
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the act of hearing, or attending to, words or sounds.
noun
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a group of spectators or listeners, esp at a public event such as a concert or play
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the people reached by a book, film, or radio or television programme
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the devotees or followers of a public entertainer, lecturer, etc; regular public
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an opportunity to put one's point of view, such as a formal interview with a monarch or head of state
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
OpenAI would likely argue that it is focusing on a more selective audience within Silicon Valley.
From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026
The show’s official podcast, “Bachelor Happy Hour,” has begun interviewing the men, but that platform’s audience is likely much smaller.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026
He masterminded “Hopscotch,” the opera presented throughout downtown L.A. and environs, with the audience riding in limousines.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 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
When the audience did not understand, Maggie stopped speaking to demonstrate.
From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
