The AI-powered English dictionary
plural audiences
A group of people within hearing; specifically, a large gathering of people listening to or watching a performance, speech, etc. quotations 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, page 26
(now rare) Hearing; the condition or state of hearing or listening. quotations
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], Luke vij:, folio lxxxiiij, verso
A widespread or nationwide viewing or listening public, as of a TV or radio network or program. examples
A formal meeting with a state or religious dignitary. quotations examples
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, PC, scene: Citadel
The readership of a book or other written publication. examples
A following. examples
(historical) An audiencia (judicial court of the Spanish empire), or the territory administered by it.