readership

[ ree-der-ship ]

noun

1. the people who read or are thought to read a particular book, newspaper, magazine, etc.:

   The periodical has a dwindling readership.

2. the duty, status, or profession of a reader.
3. (especially in British universities) the position of instructor or lecturer.
4. the state or quality of being a reader:

   appealing to a higher level of readership.

readership

/ ˈriːdəʃɪp /

noun

1. all the readers collectively of a particular publication or author

   a readership of five million

   Dickens's readership

2. the office, position, or rank of university reader

Word History and Origins

Origin of readership¹

First recorded in 1710–20; reader + -ship

Example Sentences

There’s hope for at least a short-term boost in ratings and readership from another unpredictable Trump administration.

From Los Angeles Times

My readership is delightfully varied along nearly every demographic criteria—young and old, conservative and liberal, secular and religious, action fans and those who prefer psychological drama.

From Salon

Early in “Grotesquerie,” Tryon speculates about the kinds of stories her new journalistic friend’s readership seeks: “the more gruesome, the better.”

From Los Angeles Times

With enough purchasing power to upend the publishing industry, outsell the Bible and necessitate a dedicated BookTok table at Barnes & Noble, Hoover’s readership is a force.

From Salon

The piece appeared in the newspaper with the second-largest readership in Missouri, the Kansas City Star.

From Salon