Noun

(en noun)

The act of congregating or collecting together.

A gathering of faithful in a temple, church, synagogue, mosque or other place of worship. It can also refer to the people who are present at a devotional service in the building, particularly in contrast to the pastor, minister, imam, rabbi etc. and/or choir, who may be seated apart from the general congregation or lead the service (notably in responsary form).

A Roman Congregation, a main department of the Vatican administration of the universal church

A corporate body whose members gather for worship, or the members of such a body.

Any large gathering of people

The collective noun for eagles.

The main body of university staff, comprising academics, administrative staff, heads of colleges, etc.

Noun

(en noun)

* 1526 , William Tyndale, trans. Bible , Luke VII:

When he had ended all his sayinges in the audience of the people, he entred into Capernaum.

A group of people within hearing; specifically a group of people listening to a performance, speech etc.; the crowd seeing a stage performance.

* , chapter=3

, title= The Mirror and the Lamp , passage=One saint's day in mid-term a certain newly appointed suffragan-bishop came to the school chapel, and there preached on “The Inner Life.”  He at once secured attention by his informal method, and when presently the coughing of Jarvis […] interrupted the sermon, he altogether captivated his audience with a remark about cough lozenges being cheap and easily procurable.}}

We joined the audience just as the lights went down.

A formal meeting with a state or religious dignitary.

The readership of a book or other written publication.

A following.