/ ˈɔːdiəns; NAmE / noun
1.
[ C +sing./pl. v . ] the group of people who have gathered to watch or listen to sth (a play, concert, sb speaking, etc.) :
The audience was / were clapping for 10 minutes.
an audience of 10 000
The debate was televised in front of a live audience .
2.
[ C ] a number of people or a particular group of people who watch, read or listen to the same thing :
An audience of millions watched the wedding on TV.
TV / cinema / movie audiences
His book reached an even wider audience when it was made into a movie.
The target audience for this advertisement was mainly teenagers.
➡ note at witness
3.
[ C ] a formal meeting with an important person :
an audience with the Pope
➡ note at interview
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French , from Latin audientia , from audire hear.