audience

[ aw-dee-uh ns ]
/ ˈɔ di əns /

noun

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.
the persons reached by a book, radio or television broadcast, etc.; public: Some works of music have a wide and varied audience.
a regular public that manifests interest, support, enthusiasm, or the like; a following: Every art form has its audience.
opportunity to be heard; chance to speak to or before a person or group; a hearing.
a formal interview with a sovereign, high officer of government, or other high-ranking person: an audience with the pope.
the act of hearing, or attending to, words or sounds.

Origin of audience

1325–75; Middle English < Middle French < Latin audientia act of listening, group of listeners, equivalent to audient-, stem of audiēns, present participle of audīre to hear + -ia -ia; see -ence

usage note for audience

OTHER WORDS FROM audience

pro·au·di·ence, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for audiences

British Dictionary definitions for audiences

audience
/ (ˈɔːdɪəns) /

noun

a group of spectators or listeners, esp at a public event such as a concert or play
the people reached by a book, film, or radio or television programme
the devotees or followers of a public entertainer, lecturer, etc; regular public
an opportunity to put one's point of view, such as a formal interview with a monarch or head of state

Word Origin for audience

C14: from Old French, from Latin audientia a hearing, from audīre to hear