the people

1 of 2

noun (1)

: 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

the People

2 of 2

noun (2)

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

Noun

Haakon is expected to address the people of Norway in his first speech as king either later Saturday or in the coming days. — ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026

Haakon was to address the people of Norway in his first speech as king on Saturday night in which he is expected to eulogize his father. — Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026

Not just the people who were coming there—the most important people in music, fashion, art, publishing. — Derek C. Blasberg, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026

Move-in day itself, with all the moving parts and the people to meet, can create quite a bit of stress too. — John Biemer, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Rhymes for the people

• steeple
• businesspeople
• craftspeople
• laypeople
• salespeople
• townspeople
• tradespeople
• workpeople