audience

Etymology

From Middle English audience, from Middle French audience, from Old French audience, from Latin audientia, from present participle audiens (“hearing”), from verb audio (“I hear”). Doublet of audiencia.

noun

1. A group of people within hearing; specifically, a large gathering of people listening to or watching a performance, speech, etc.
   We joined the audience just as the lights went down.
2. (now rare) Hearing; the condition or state of hearing or listening.
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.
   She managed to get an audience with the Pope.
   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, →OCLC, PC, scene: Citadel
5. The readership of a book or other written publication.
   "Private Eye" has a small but faithful audience.
6. A following.
   The opera singer expanded his audience by singing songs from the shows.
7. (historical) An audiencia (judicial court of the Spanish empire), or the territory administered by it.