also: かんかく
General term for people watching a performance, sports event, movie, etc. Can refer to a single spectator or the audience as a whole.
The audience all stood up and applauded.
サッカーの試合には5万人の観客が集まった。
Fifty thousand spectators gathered for the soccer match.
The performance captivated the audience.
Performing in front of an audience is nerve-wracking.
The audience applauded the enthusiastic performance.
The movie drew a large audience.
attendance; number of spectators
drawing power; ability to attract an audience