What does "audience" mean?

1. (spectators at an event) the group of people who gather to watch a play, concert, or film. 2. (readership or target group) the people who read a particular book or watch a certain TV show. 3. (formal meeting) a formal meeting with an important person, like a king or the Pope. 4. (within hearing distance) the state of being close enough to someone to be heard.

audience

US //ˈɑdiəns// UK //ˈɔːdiəns// au·di·ence

1 spectators at an event (n.)
A2 Elementary Theatre

the group of people who gather to watch a play, concert, or film.

a group of people assembled to watch or listen to a live performance or presentation.

Example

The audience clapped loudly at the end of the show.

Example

The audience remained remarkably silent throughout the first act, captivated by the lead actor's intense and understated performance.
- performers
- cast
2 readership or target group (n.)
B1 Intermediate

the people who read a particular book or watch a certain TV show.

the total number of people reached by a book, broadcast, or advertisement; a target demographic.

Example

The magazine is trying to reach a younger audience.

Example

The author's latest novel failed to find an audience among younger readers, despite a significant marketing campaign on social media platforms.

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3 formal meeting (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal

a formal meeting with an important person, like a king or the Pope.

a formal interview or meeting with a person of high rank or religious authority.

Example

The Prime Minister was granted an audience with the Queen.

Example

The ambassador requested a private audience with the Pope to discuss the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region.
4 within hearing distance (n.)
C2 Proficiency Literary Archaic

the state of being close enough to someone to be heard.

the condition of being within hearing distance; often used in the phrase 'in the audience of'.

Example

He was careful not to speak while he was in the audience of his enemies.

Example

The conspirators met in the garden, ensuring they were well out of the audience of any prying servants.
- earshot
- hearing

Origin

From Middle English audience, from Middle French audience, from Old French audience, from Latin audientia, from present participle audiēns (“hearing”), from verb audiō (“to hear”). Doublet of audiencia.