1
a
: the office or position of a reader
b
: the quality or state of being a reader
2
: the mass or a particular group of readers
a magazine's readership

Examples of readership in a Sentence

She holds a readership in chemistry.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Jung introduced the project as an adaptation of a sci-fi novel with an enormous global readership, and noted that Zhang, more than 40 years into his career, still puts out new work almost every year. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026 Barbara Kingsolver Barbara Kingsolver’s work has been translated into more than twenty languages and has earned a devoted readership. — Literary Hub, 6 Oct. 2026 Lynch took over Condé Nast as CEO in 2019, helping the publishing giant navigate declines in print readership and advertising along with Covid. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2026 There were heroic tales and tragic ones from the battlefield, and more obviously relevant ones to Western readerships such as the impact on European energy prices. — Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for readership

Word History

First Known Use

1719, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of readership was in 1719

Cite this Entry

“Readership.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/readership. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

readership

noun
: a group of readers
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