peasantry

noun

peas·​ant·​ry ˈpe-zᵊn-trē How to pronounce peasantry (audio)
1
2
: the position, rank, or behavior of a peasant

Examples of peasantry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For their part, the European peasantry grew wary of the Christian leaders who seemed to have abandoned them. Michael Bruening, The Conversation, 25 Feb. 2025 By the late third century, most emperors and many of their top officials rose from the rural peasantry through the ranks of the army. Jeffrey E. Schulman / Made By History, TIME, 20 Dec. 2024 For their part, the European peasantry grew wary of the Christian leaders who seemed to have abandoned them. Michael Bruening, The Conversation, 25 Feb. 2025 By the late third century, most emperors and many of their top officials rose from the rural peasantry through the ranks of the army. Jeffrey E. Schulman / Made By History, TIME, 20 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for peasantry

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1553, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of peasantry was circa 1553

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Cite this Entry

“Peasantry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peasantry. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

peasantry

noun
peas·​ant·​ry -ᵊn-trē How to pronounce peasantry (audio)
: peasants as a group
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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