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

In terms of the audience’s interpretation, so much of the show is about the ways in which different people can look at the same events and come to radically different conclusions. —Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2025

Identify Direct And Indirect Competitors First, start by listing your direct competitors - companies that offer similar products or services targeting the same audience. —Abdo Riani, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025

While livestream feeds do cycle between different players’ POVs for moment-to-moment action, the need to cycle through so many perspectives (60 vs about 10 in other games), means audiences are always missing something that’s happening. —Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 22 Feb. 2025

Walken always knew that the audience would meet his Outie, which first happened in Season 1, Episode 9. —Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 22 Feb. 2025

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