audience

noun au·di·ence \ˈȯ-dē-ən(t)s, ˈä-\

: a group of people who gather together to listen to something (such as a concert) or watch something (such as a movie or play) : the people who attend a performance

: the people who watch, read, or listen to something

: a formal meeting with an important person

Full Definition of AUDIENCE

: the act or state of hearing

a : a formal hearing or interview <an audience with the pope>

b : an opportunity of being heard

a : a group of listeners or spectators

b : a reading, viewing, or listening public

: a group of ardent admirers or devotees

See audience defined for English-language learners

See audience defined for kids

Origin of AUDIENCE

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin audientia, from audient-, audiens, present participle of audire

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to AUDIENCE

Synonyms: cult, followership, following

AUDIENCE Defined for Kids

audience

noun au·di·ence \ˈȯ-dē-əns\

Definition of AUDIENCE for Kids

: a group that listens or watches (as at a play or concert)

: a chance to talk with a person of very high rank <She was granted an audience with the queen.>

: those people who give attention to something said, done, or written <Adventure stories appeal to a wide audience.>

Word Root of AUDIENCE

The Latin word audīre, meaning “to hear” or “to listen,” gives us the root aud. Words from the Latin audīre have to do with hearing. Anything audible is loud enough to be heard. An audience is a group of people who listen to or watch a performance. Anything auditory is related to the sense of hearing.