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.
None of the moves seemed to stop the publication from hemorrhaging readership. — Max Tani, semafor.com, 25 Oct. 2026 The diaper brand Coterie is running an ad in Golf Digest, whose readership is 75% men. — Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026 In an era in which smut, about romantic monsters and other fantasies, draws large readership and Heated Rivalry has ignited television viewers to want more from romance, Wicker has impeccable timing. — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026 That has happened even as these titles court an Arab readership and a growing base of Gulf luxury clients. — Ritu Upadhyay, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 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 27 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

readership

noun
: a group of readers
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