spec ‧ ta ‧ tor /spekˈteɪtə $ ˈspekteɪtər/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: spectare 'to watch' , from specere 'to look (at)' ]
someone who is watching an event or game ⇨ audience :
The match attracted over 40,000 spectators.
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THESAURUS
■ someone who watches something
▪ spectator someone who watches an event, especially a sports event:
There were 4,500 spectators at the game.
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a crowd of spectators
▪ viewer someone who watches television:
Millions of television viewers listened to the President’s speech.
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programmes for younger viewers
▪ audience the people who watch a play or performance, or the people who watch a particular television programme:
The audience roared with laughter and clapped.
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It attracted a television audience of seven million.
▪ onlooker someone who watches something happening without being involved in it, especially in the street:
A man was standing on the roof, watched by a crowd of onlookers below.
▪ observer someone who watches and pays attention to particular situations and events, because they are interested in them, or it is their job:
She was a shrewd observer of human nature.
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a political observer who writes for The Independent newspaper
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The United Nations has sent military observers to the Sudan.