audition

1 of 2

noun

au·​di·​tion ȯ-ˈdi-shən 

1

: the power or sense of hearing

2

: the act of hearing

especially : a critical hearing

an audition of new recordings

3

: a trial performance to appraise an entertainer's merits

audition

2 of 2

verb

auditioned; auditioning ȯ-ˈdi-sh(ə-)niŋ 

transitive verb

: to test or try out especially in an audition

intransitive verb

: to give a trial performance

Did you know?

Today, "audition" most often refers to a theatrical tryout, but that wasn't always the case. "Audition" is rooted in the Latin verb audire, meaning "to hear," and was first used in the late 16th century to refer to the power or sense of hearing. "Audire" is also the root of such "hearing" words in English as "audible," "audience" (which first meant "the act or state of hearing"), and the prefix audio-, which appears in various words relating to sound. It wasn't until late 19th century that the noun "audition" began being used for an entertainer's trial performance. And the verb audition, meaning "to test or try out in an audition," didn't appear on the English language stage until the mid-20th century.

Examples of audition in a Sentence

Verb

When he came in to audition, he was very charming.

They auditioned several girls for the role.

We will audition dancers today.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

At the start of this school year, Paul set a goal to learn how to play the first movement of Giovanni Bottesini’s Concerto No. 2, a challenging piece often performed by college students in auditions for master’s degree programs. —Matthew Haag, New York Times, 23 Dec. 2024

The really clunky moments come off like an audition tape in which the off-camera casting assistant running lines is late on their cues. —Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 20 Dec. 2024

Verb

There is no age limit to participate and no school affiliation is necessary to audition; up to eight groups will be selected, with the announcement of those set for Feb. 3. —Eric E. Harrison, arkansasonline.com, 14 Dec. 2024

Jade Thirlwall had auditioned for The X-Factor twice as a teen and was just not feeling it when the third time came around in 2011. —Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 10 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Latin audītiōn-, audītiō "act of hearing, report, rumor," from audīre "to hear" + -tiōn- -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at audible entry 1

Verb

derivative of audition entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1931, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

audition

1 of 2 noun

au·​di·​tion ȯ-ˈdish-ən 

1

: the power or sense of hearing

2

: a short performance to test the talents of a musician, singer, dancer, or actor

audition

2 of 2 verb

auditioned; auditioning

-ˈdish-(ə-)niŋ

: to test or try out in an audition

Medical Definition

audition

noun

au·​di·​tion ȯ-ˈdish-ən 

1

: the power or sense of hearing

2

: the act of hearing