Definition

1. Noun:
   • The number of people present at an event or location: This refers to the count or total of individuals who are in attendance.
   • The act or fact of being present at a place, especially regularly: This refers to the action of attending or the state of being present, often tracked over time (e.g., at school, work, or events).
   • (Archaic/Formal) The action of accompanying or serving someone: This older meaning refers to the act of waiting upon or caring for someone.

Usage and Examples

• Referring to the number of people present:

  • The concert had an attendance of over 10,000 people.
  • Low attendance at the meeting forced a postponement.

• Referring to the act or frequency of being present:

  • Regular attendance is mandatory for all employees.
  • The teacher records student attendance every morning.

• (Archaic/Formal) Referring to service or care:

  • The king required the attendance of his physician.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• "To be in attendance": To be present at an event or location.

  • Several dignitaries were in attendance at the ceremony.

• "To dance attendance on someone" (Idiom): To obey someone's orders eagerly or to wait upon someone obsequiously.

  • He was tired of dancing attendance on his demanding boss.

Variants and Related Words

• Attend (verb): To be present at; to go to.

  • She will attend the conference.

• Attendant (noun/adj):

  • (Noun) A person employed to provide a service to the public or to assist someone.

    • A flight attendant
  • (Adjective) Occurring with or as a result of.

    • The attendant difficulties

Synonyms

• Presence: The state of being in a particular place.
• Turnout: The number of people attending an event.
• Participation: The act of taking part in something.

Antonyms

• Absence: The state of being away or not present.
• Nonattendance: Failure to attend.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• Take attendance: To record who is present.

  • The professor takes attendance at the start of each lecture.

• Perfect attendance: A record of being present every time, without any absences.

  • She received an award for perfect attendance this year.

Noun

1. the number of people that are present
   • attendance was up by 50 per cent
2. the frequency with which a person is present
   • a student's attendance is an important factor in her grade
3. the act of being present (at a meeting or event etc.)