: 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
Michael Peregrine, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
During the forty-two-day ceasefire, relatively large quantities of aid went into Gaza, but even that was insufficient to meet the demands of the people.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 21 May 2025
As Baird left the store, he was approached by one of the people in the SUV.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 21 May 2025
According to Donald Leadbetter, tourism program manager of the National Park Service, that’s what makes Lassen Volcanic National Park so special in the summer: the ability to have an experience as grand as Yellowstone with only a fraction of the people (about 350,000 people visited in 2024).
—Chloe Arrojado, AFAR Media, 21 May 2025
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Noun
Similarly, the Business Roundtable reminds companies to invest in their employees, to respect the people in their communities and to embrace sustainable practices across their businesses.
—Michael Peregrine, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
During the forty-two-day ceasefire, relatively large quantities of aid went into Gaza, but even that was insufficient to meet the demands of the people.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 21 May 2025
As Baird left the store, he was approached by one of the people in the SUV.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 21 May 2025
According to Donald Leadbetter, tourism program manager of the National Park Service, that’s what makes Lassen Volcanic National Park so special in the summer: the ability to have an experience as grand as Yellowstone with only a fraction of the people (about 350,000 people visited in 2024).
—Chloe Arrojado, AFAR Media, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for the people
Cite this Entry
“The people.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20people. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
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