audience

ot noun

1. A group of people within hearing; specifically, a large gathering of people listening to or watching a performance, speech, etc. We joined the audience just as the lights went down.
2. A formal meeting with a state or religious dignitary. She managed to get an audience with the Pope.
3. The readership of a book or other written publication. "Private Eye" has a small but faithful audience.
4. A following. The opera singer expanded his audience by singing songs from the shows.