audience

plural audiences

1. A group of people within hearing; specifically, a large gathering of people listening to or watching a performance, speech, etc.First known use 15th c.

   We joined the audience just as the lights went down.

   2 more examples

   One saint's day in mid-term a certain newly appointed suffragan-bishop came to the school chapel, and there preached on “The Inner Life.” He at once secured attention by his informal method, and when presently the coughing of Jarvis […] interrupted the sermon, he altogether captivated his audience with a remark about cough lozenges being cheap and easily procurable.

   1918, W[illiam] B[abington] Maxwell, chapter V, in The Mirror and the Lamp, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC, page 26

   My audience to this not-too-easy operation was a small group of Scottish school lasses, who seemed (perhaps naturally) to find the proceedings somewhat mysterious, but at any rate amusing. I wished they would go away, but they didn't, so I had to get on with the job to the accompaniment of a background of giggles!

   1952 February, H. C. Casserley, “Permanent Wayfarings”, in Railway Magazine, page 77

   Synonyms: spectators, crowd

2. archaicHearing; the condition or state of hearing or listening.First known use 14th c.

   WHen he had ended all his ſayingꝭ in the audience of the people / he entred ĩto Capernaum.

   1526, [William Tyndale, transl.], The Newe Testamẽt […] (Tyndale Bible), [Worms, Germany: Peter Schöffer], →OCLC, Luke vij:[1], folio lxxxiiij, verso

   1 more example

   ... groans and roarings full of plaintive anger, the force of which can only be realized by actual audience. When solicited by the jerking of their noses, they condescend to kneel down and tuck their legs under them;[…]

   1861, Eclectic Magazine, and Monthly Edition of the Living Age, page 453

3. A widespread or nationwide viewing or listening public, as of a TV or radio network or program.
4. A formal meeting with a state or religious dignitary.First known use 16th c.

   She managed to get an audience with the Pope.

   1 more example

   Captain Anderson: Sounds like you convinced the Council to give us an audience. Ambassador Udina: They were not happy about it. Saren's their top agent. They don't like him being accused of treason.

   2008, BioWare, Mass Effect, Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →ISBN, →OCLC, PC, scene: Citadel

5. The readership of a book or other written publication.First known use 19th c.

   "Private Eye" has a small but faithful audience.

6. A following.First known use 20th c.

   The opera singer expanded his audience by singing songs from the shows.

7. historicalAn audiencia (judicial court of the Spanish empire), or the territory administered by it.