plebe

noun

ˈplēb 

1

: a freshman at a military or naval academy

He also struggled to march in step and stumbled through … a morning ritual in which plebes are forced to stand at full attention and recite an endless stream of information …

—Jonathan Mahler

2

a

: one of the common people : plebeian

Once a proud and high-minded group, the new class could look up at the rich with a certain contempt and down at the plebes with compassion …

—Barbara Ehrenreich

b

: an ordinary person who lacks the knowledge of an insider

These guys may look like plebes, but they're veteran hackers.

—Davin Coburn

The movie has its origins in Dave Stevens' 1982 graphic novel (comic book to us plebes), a knowing, exquisitely drawn valentine to aviation aces and 1930s Los Angeles.

—Ty Burr

Examples of plebe in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

To mark the start of Plebe Summer, approximately 1,200 plebes, or freshmen in the Class of 2029 take part in Induction Day which involves In-processing, medical exams, uniform fittings, haircuts, and learning to salute. —Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025

Turns out all Jeremiah really needed to improve his attitude was to experience life as a plebe. —Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025

But on Sunday night, plebes got a taste of what her dress may look like at their future nuptials. —Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025

The Republican congressional leader, whose son is a plebe at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, is a key Trump ally expected to help push the president’s plans through Congress. —Sam Janesch, Baltimore Sun, 11 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

(sense 1) probably short for plebeian entry 1; (sense 2) short for plebeian entry 1, or perhaps by construing Latin plēbs, earlier plēbēs "the general body of citizens in ancient Rome, the common people" as a plural noun — more at plebs

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for plebe

• glebe
• grebe
• caribe