plebs

noun

\ ˈplebz

How to pronounce plebs (audio)

, ˈpleps

How to pronounce plebs (audio)

\

plural plebes\ ˈplē-(ˌ)bēz

How to pronounce plebs (audio)

, ˈplā-ˌbās

How to pronounce plebs (audio)

\

Definition of plebs

1 : the general populace

2 : the common people of ancient Rome

Examples of plebs in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The plebs’s relative impoverishment in the wake of this would help give rise to an array of demagogues—and eventually the collapse of the Roman republic. — Win Mccormack, The New Republic, 11 Feb. 2021 Political and economic elites fear nothing more than the plebs of the world uniting to challenge their rule, which is what sublime solidarity aims to do. — Astra Taylor, The New Republic, 26 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'plebs.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“Plebs.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plebs. Accessed 23 Jun. 2021.

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