: the ordinary people in a country who do not have special power or privileges
She is well-liked as a senator because she listens to the people.
the common people
US, law
—used to refer to the government of the U.S. or of a particular state in the name of a legal case
The People vs. John Doe
Examples of the people in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 May 2024
Ampla made loans that one of the people familiar with its finances said appeared not to meet the standards the company had set for itself.
—Jordyn Holman, New York Times, 24 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for the people 
Noun
Gallegos will discuss the environmental setting, resources and the people who occupied the Batiquitos Lagoon area over the past 10,000 years.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 May 2024
Ampla made loans that one of the people familiar with its finances said appeared not to meet the standards the company had set for itself.
—Jordyn Holman, New York Times, 24 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for the people
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'the people.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near the people
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“The people.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20people. Accessed 29 May. 2024.
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