: 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
Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 May 2024
Ampla made loans that one of the people familiar with its finances said appeared not to meet the standards the company had set for itself.
—Jordyn Holman, New York Times, 24 May 2024
For now, the technology keeps getting smarter faster than the people creating and using it.
—Clay Chandler, Fortune, 24 May 2024
That work requires that everyone has a voice and a seat at the table—especially the people who have historically been excluded.
—Bobi Conn, TIME, 23 May 2024
The plan is still subject to change, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing private matters.
—Dorothy Ma, Fortune Europe, 23 May 2024
The outlet stated some of the people involved in the incident attended Maranatha High School.
—Becca Longmire, Peoplemag, 13 May 2024
After the goal, his third of the season, Pec lifted the bottom of his jersey to show a message on his white undershirt that dedicated the goal to the people of Rio Grande do Sul, his home state in southern Brazil, which has been devastated by recent floods.
—Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2024
Biden and his staff spent recent weeks finalizing the measures, including which items to hit and which to avoid because the inputs are needed to fuel American growth, one of the people said.
—Josh Wingrove, Fortune, 12 May 2024
Noun
Gallegos will discuss the environmental setting, resources and the people who occupied the Batiquitos Lagoon area over the past 10,000 years.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 May 2024
Ampla made loans that one of the people familiar with its finances said appeared not to meet the standards the company had set for itself.
—Jordyn Holman, New York Times, 24 May 2024
For now, the technology keeps getting smarter faster than the people creating and using it.
—Clay Chandler, Fortune, 24 May 2024
That work requires that everyone has a voice and a seat at the table—especially the people who have historically been excluded.
—Bobi Conn, TIME, 23 May 2024
The plan is still subject to change, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing private matters.
—Dorothy Ma, Fortune Europe, 23 May 2024
The outlet stated some of the people involved in the incident attended Maranatha High School.
—Becca Longmire, Peoplemag, 13 May 2024
After the goal, his third of the season, Pec lifted the bottom of his jersey to show a message on his white undershirt that dedicated the goal to the people of Rio Grande do Sul, his home state in southern Brazil, which has been devastated by recent floods.
—Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2024
Biden and his staff spent recent weeks finalizing the measures, including which items to hit and which to avoid because the inputs are needed to fuel American growth, one of the people said.
—Josh Wingrove, Fortune, 12 May 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'the people.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near the people
Cite this Entry
“The people.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20people. Accessed 28 May. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share