spectator

1 of 2

noun (1)

spec·​ta·​tor ˈspek-ˌtā-tər 

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

ˌspek-tə-ˈtȯr-ē-əl 

adjective

spectatorship

ˈspek-ˌtā-tər-ˌship 

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

Noun (1)

• observer
• viewer

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

Noun

From the stands, more than 5,000 spectators dressed for the occasion in cowboy hats, leather boots and ornate rodeo belt buckles cheered them on. — Haley Parsley october 4, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2026

Thousands of spectators lined the Chicago River to watch floating mock-ups of Victorian houses become engulfed by flames — a la the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 — but the buildings failed to ignite. — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026

The musicians were smiling, the spectators tapped and clapped, and that magical sense of timelessness was real, spanning multiple generations. — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026

Every organization in the league, every organization throughout professional sports, all the way down to youth rec leagues, have to deal with occasional bad behavior from spectators. — ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026

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

Phrases Containing spectator

• spectator sport

Kids Definition

spectator

noun

spec·​ta·​tor ˈspek-ˌtāt-ər 

spek-ˈtāt-

: a person who looks on (as at a sports event)

spectator adjective