: 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
George Calhoun, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024
The industry is constantly evolving, and the people who are knowledgeable and adaptable will always have an edge.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Oct. 2024
King County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Mike Mellis said investigators believe the people killed had been shot.
—Stephen Sorace, Fox News, 23 Oct. 2024
There has been a deep culture change for the brand and the people, from transaction to interaction.
—Luisa Zargani, WWD, 22 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for the people 
Noun
Response rates to even the best telephone polls are in the single digits — in some sense, the people who choose to respond to polls are unusual.
—George Calhoun, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024
The industry is constantly evolving, and the people who are knowledgeable and adaptable will always have an edge.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Oct. 2024
King County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Mike Mellis said investigators believe the people killed had been shot.
—Stephen Sorace, Fox News, 23 Oct. 2024
There has been a deep culture change for the brand and the people, from transaction to interaction.
—Luisa Zargani, WWD, 22 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for the people
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 5 Nov. 2024.
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