spectator

noun

spec·​ta·​tor ˈspek-ˌtā-tər How to pronounce spectator (audio)
spek-ˈtā-
1
: one who looks on or watches
2
: a shoe having contrasting colors with a perforated design at the toe and sometimes heel
spectator adjective
spectatorial adjective
spectatorship noun

Examples of spectator in a Sentence

The spectators lining the road cheered the racers on. The accident attracted a large crowd of spectators. I wasn't a participant in the preparations, merely a spectator.
Recent Examples on the Web The researchers compared results with past World Cups when spectators had been present. Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 4 Mar. 2024 More than 40,000 spectators were in attendance at the Allegiant Stadium, according to the league. Ben Church, CNN, 4 Mar. 2024 One spectator with deep interest in the case was Mary Ellen Riordan, president of the Detroit Federation of Teachers. William Grant, Detroit Free Press, 3 Mar. 2024 An open south/southwest-facing view of the Adirondack High Peaks and the iconic Olympic Ski Jumps with room for many spectators to gather. Jamie Carter, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024 After a couple of swings, the naked woman then has both clubs in her hands, prompting laughs and cheers from spectators. Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 1 Mar. 2024 Organizers expect hundreds of spectators to show up at the Indiana Convention Center to watch entrepreneurs vie for $150,000 in grants at the 2024 NBA Foundation All-Star Pitch Competition Finals on Feb. 17. Who will be at the NBA Foundation All-Star Pitch Competition Finals? The Indianapolis Star, 16 Feb. 2024 Amid a vacuum of information about the princess, it's become clear that fans of the royals and social media spectators alike are just looking for answers. Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2024 Addington, who was previously Pittsburg’s police chief, said though the spectator law was on the books, Pittsburg has never arrested anyone for that. Judith Prieve, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'spectator.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from spectare to watch

First Known Use

circa 1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of spectator was circa 1586

Dictionary Entries Near spectator

Cite this Entry

“Spectator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spectator. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

spectator

noun
spec·​ta·​tor ˈspek-ˌtāt-ər How to pronounce spectator (audio)
spek-ˈtāt-
: a person who looks on (as at a sports event)
spectator adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on spectator

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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