audience

UK: /ˈɔːdiəns/ US: /ˈɔdiəns/ ,(ô′dē əns)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

au•di•ence /ˈɔdiəns/   n. [countable]

1. the group of people listening to or viewing a public event.
2. the people reached by a radio or television show, by a book, etc.;
   the public:
   a television audience of several million people.
3. a regular group of people that shows its interest for something;
   a following:
   Politicians who promise to lower taxes have a large audience.
4. opportunity to be heard;
   chance to speak;
   a hearing:
   He just wants a fair audience.
5. a formal meeting:
   a private audience with the Pope.

See -aud-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

au•di•ence  (ô′dē əns), n. 

1. 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.
2. the persons reached by a book, radio or television broadcast, etc.;
   public:
   Some works of music have a wide and varied audience.
3. a regular public that manifests interest, support, enthusiasm, or the like;
   a following:
   Every art form has its audience.
4. opportunity to be heard;
   chance to speak to or before a person or group;
   a hearing.
5. a formal interview with a sovereign, high officer of government, or other high-ranking person:
   an audience with the pope.
6. the act of hearing, or attending to, words or sounds.

• Latin audientia. See audient, -ence
• Middle French
• Middle English 1325–75

Usage

See collective noun. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

audience / ˈɔːdɪəns/ noun

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

Etymology: 14th Century: from Old French, from Latin audientia a hearing, from audīre to hear