audience

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"

an opportunity to state your case and be heard; "they condemned him without a hearing"; "he saw that he had lost his audience"

a conference (usually with someone important); "he had a consultation with the judge"; "he requested an audience with the king"