attendance

noun

at·​ten·​dance ə-ˈten-dən(t)s How to pronounce attendance (audio)
1
: the act or fact of attending something or someone
a physician in attendance
Attendance at the meeting is mandatory.
2
a
: the persons or number of persons attending something
Attendance at the soccer games has been increasing.
also : an account of persons attending
The teacher took attendance [=made a record of who was present] before starting class.
b
: the number of times a person attends
a student who has perfect attendance [=a student who has been present at every class]

Examples of attendance in a Sentence

The team wants to double attendance at its games this season. Attendance is down so far this season. Museum attendances in the city have been increasing in recent years. Her grades are good, but how's her attendance?
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Below are four ways theater owners could revive attendance. William Earl, Variety, 27 Mar. 2025 Such analysis is overly simplistic, failing to account for Soto’s impact on attendance and other forms of revenue. Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025 And still others were coaxed into Christendom, forced into routine prayer, church attendance, and adherence to other Christian tenets. Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025 Mandating attendance won’t make hybrid work effective – in-person collaboration must be a strategic choice that serves a clear goal. Esmt Berlin, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for attendance

Word History

Etymology

see attend

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of attendance was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Attendance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attendance. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

attendance

noun
at·​ten·​dance ə-ˈten-dən(t)s How to pronounce attendance (audio)
1
: the act of attending
2
a
: the number of persons attending
b
: the number of times a person attends
perfect attendance

Medical Definition

attendance

noun
at·​ten·​dance ə-ˈten-dən(t)s How to pronounce attendance (audio)
: service at a hospital
a physician in attendance

More from Merriam-Webster on attendance

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