The noun audience has 4 senses (first 2 from tagged texts)
1. (60) audience -- (a gathering of spectators or listeners at a (usually public) performance; "the audience applauded"; "someone in the audience began to cough")
2. (9) audience -- (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")
3. hearing, audience -- (an opportunity to state your case and be heard; "they condemned him without a hearing"; "he saw that he had lost his audience")
4. consultation, audience, interview -- (a conference (usually with someone important); "he had a consultation with the judge"; "he requested an audience with the king")