A Quick and Simple Dictionary

audience

1. Noun.  (context, now) Hearing; the condition or state of hearing or listening. (defdate, from 14th c.) .
2. Noun.  A group of people within hearing; specifically a group of people listening to a performance, speech etc.; the crowd seeing a stage performance. (defdate, from 15th c.) .
3. Noun.  A formal meeting with a state or religious dignitary. (defdate, from 16th c.) .
4. Noun.  The readership of a book or other written publication. (defdate, from 19th c.) .
5. Noun.  A following. (defdate, from 20th c.) .