peasant

noun

peas·​ant ˈpe-zᵊnt 

1

: a member of a European class of persons tilling the soil as small landowners or as laborers

This land was farmed by peasants for centuries.

also : a member of a similar class elsewhere

2

: a usually uneducated person of low social status

They treated us like a bunch of peasants.

Examples of peasant in a Sentence

They treated us like a bunch of peasants.

Recent Examples on the Web

Along with suffering mothers and children, Kollwitz’ prints are defined by her depictions of struggling peasants–farmers and laborers. —Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025

Many of the specifics of Mao’s thought were geared toward China’s own realities of peasant revolution and the search for a post-Qing political settlement. —Rana Mitter, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025

Wealthier merchants, for example, were charged double the poll tax rate and five times the property rate of a free peasant. —Rosie McCall, Discover Magazine, 8 Apr. 2025

The restrictive Prussian voting system diluted the impact of rural peasants, who were often more conservative than the liberal elite voted into the legislature. —Christine Adams / Made By History, TIME, 13 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English paissaunt, from Anglo-French paisant, pesaunt, from pais, paiis country, from Late Latin pagensis inhabitant of a district, from Latin pagus district; akin to Latin pangere to fix — more at pact

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for peasant

• pheasant
• pleasant
• present
• omnipresent
• unpleasant

Kids Definition

peasant

noun

peas·​ant ˈpez-ᵊnt 

1

: a European small farmer or farm laborer

2

: a member of a similar agricultural class elsewhere