: 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
Beijing and Washington Bureaus, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
Is there an argument to be made that Nantz and Immelman should have identified for casual fans some of the people McIlroy hugged?
—Richard Deitsch, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
And that means investing in the people who help shape those ideas from the start.
—Rhea Wessel, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
According to a recent report by the Pima County administrator, more than half the people locked up at the local jail have, like Mary, a mental-health condition that requires medication.
—Sarah Stillman, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the people
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.
Noun
Most of the people spoke on condition of anonymity to describe confidential government deliberations.
—Beijing and Washington Bureaus, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
Is there an argument to be made that Nantz and Immelman should have identified for casual fans some of the people McIlroy hugged?
—Richard Deitsch, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
And that means investing in the people who help shape those ideas from the start.
—Rhea Wessel, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
According to a recent report by the Pima County administrator, more than half the people locked up at the local jail have, like Mary, a mental-health condition that requires medication.
—Sarah Stillman, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 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 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share