spectator

1 of 2

noun (1)

spec·​ta·​tor ˈspek-ˌtā-tər How to pronounce spectator (audio)
spek-ˈtā-
Synonyms of spectator
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
ˌspek-tə-ˈtȯr-ē-əl How to pronounce spectator (audio)
adjective
spectatorship
ˈspek-ˌtā-tər-ˌship How to pronounce spectator (audio)
spek-ˈtā-
noun

spectatorship

2 of 2

noun (2)

spec·​ta·​tor·​ship
1
obsolete : the condition of being viewed or submitted for viewing
2
: the condition of being a spectator especially as distinguished from a participant

Synonyms of spectator

Relevance

Noun (1)

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of spectator in a Sentence

Noun (1) 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
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Noun
Denker said that 288,000 free tickets were requested through a lottery system — exceeding the 130,000 spectators whom organizers plan to host on each of the event's two days. — ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026 On Tuesday night, a spectator in his 20s collapsed while watching a baseball game between SSG Landers and LG Twins at a stadium in Incheon, west of Seoul. — Hyung-Jin Kim, Los Angeles Times, 5 Aug. 2026 Brook Smith, 13, was first in line when seating opened for spectators three hours before the scheduled opening-game start. — James Raia, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2026 The 85-year-old has been to the taste every year of its existence either a spectator or a worker. — Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spectator

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1) and Noun (2)

Latin, from spectare to watch

First Known Use

Noun (1)

circa 1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of spectator was circa 1586

Phrases Containing spectator

Browse Nearby Words

spectate
spectator
spectatorial
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spectator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spectator. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

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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

Nglish: Translation of spectator for Spanish Speakers

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