| 1. | the people who read or are thought to read a particular book, newspaper, magazine, etc.: The periodical has a dwindling readership. |
| 2. | the duty, status, or profession of a reader. |
| 3. | (esp. in British universities) the position of instructor or lecturer. |
| 4. | the state or quality of being a reader: appealing to a higher level of readership. |