Part of Speech

Noun

Pronunciation

/əˈtɛndəns/

Definitions

• The act of being present at a place, event, or activity: "Her attendance at the meeting was mandatory."
• The number of people present at a place or event: "The attendance at the concert was over 5,000."
• The regular presence at an institution, especially at school or work: "Good attendance is required for employees."

Usage Examples

• "His attendance at every class made him a model student."
• "The attendance at the event exceeded expectations."
• "Due to low attendance, the meeting was rescheduled."
• "She was praised for her perfect attendance record."

Etymology

From the Middle French word "attendence," derived from the Latin "attendere," meaning "to give attention to" (from "ad-" meaning "to" + "tendere" meaning "to stretch"). The term evolved to refer to the act of being present and giving attention to something.

Synonyms

• Presence
• Participation
• Presence rate
• Turnout
• Appearance

Antonyms

• Absence
• Nonattendance
• Miss
• Failure to attend

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

In American English, "attendance" is typically pronounced with a soft "e" sound (/ə/), whereas in British English, the pronunciation may have a slightly more pronounced vowel sound. In some non-native English dialects, the word may be pronounced with local vowel shifts or stress variations.

Historical Usage

The word "attendance" has been used in English since the 15th century. It initially referred to the act of waiting upon someone or something. Over time, it expanded to encompass the idea of being present at events, meetings, and educational institutions. The sense of "attendance" as it relates to school or work became widespread during the industrial revolution when formal attendance tracking became a part of organizational and institutional processes.

Cultural Nuances

Attendance has significant cultural implications in many contexts. In educational systems, especially in countries like Japan, Korea, and India, perfect attendance is often seen as a mark of dedication and discipline. Similarly, in work environments, regular attendance is often valued as a sign of responsibility. In many societies, absence from work or school is viewed negatively, and often requires justification.

More Information

The concept of attendance is crucial across various domains, from schools to corporate offices. In education, maintaining good attendance is directly linked to academic performance, and in workplaces, attendance is often monitored to ensure productivity. The rise of online education and remote working has led to new challenges in tracking attendance, with technology offering solutions like digital check-ins and virtual presence monitoring.