Origin: Latin suffix -ence
Audience has 5 different meanings across 1 category:
a gathering of spectators or listeners at a (usually public) performance
"the audience applauded"
"someone in the audience began to cough"
the part of the general public interested in a source of information or entertainment
"every artist needs an audience"
"the broadcast reached an audience of millions"
a conference (usually with someone important)
"he had a consultation with the judge"
"he requested an audience with the king"
A group of people within hearing; specifically, a large gathering of people listening to or watching a performance, speech, etc.
"The comedian adjusted his microphone as he scanned the packed audience waiting for his punchlines."
In plain English: An audience is the group of people who are watching or listening to a performance or speaker.
"The speaker waited for the audience to applaud before continuing her speech."
Usage: Use audience to refer to a group of listeners or viewers who are collectively receiving a performance or speech. Do not use it to describe the act of listening itself, which is better expressed as an audience member's attention or simply listening.
The word "audience" entered English through Middle and Old French as a borrowing from the Latin audientia, which literally means "a hearing." It is derived from the present participle of the Latin verb audiō ("to hear").