townspeople

plural noun

towns·​peo·​ple ˈtau̇nz-ˌpē-pəl How to pronounce townspeople (audio)
Synonyms of townspeoplenext
1
: the inhabitants of a town or city : townsmen
2
: town-dwelling or town-bred persons

Examples of townspeople in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The show's plot involves a corrupt mayor, gullible townspeople and a kindhearted Bigfoot who longs for community. Reena Advani, NPR, 16 Feb. 2026 After a 1951 avalanche that killed seven people, the townspeople banded together to ensure that Livigno wouldn’t be cut off anymore in the winter. Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 11 Feb. 2026 But the townspeople are abuzz about one of their own. Chad Graff, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026 Nothing of consequence ever really happens there, a fact the townspeople take as a point of pride. Eve Fairbanks, The Dial, 27 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for townspeople

Word History

First Known Use

1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of townspeople was in 1587

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Cite this Entry

“Townspeople.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/townspeople. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

townspeople

plural noun
towns·​peo·​ple ˈtau̇nz-ˌpē-pəl How to pronounce townspeople (audio)
: the people who live in a town or city

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