townspeople

plural noun

towns·​peo·​ple ˈtau̇nz-ˌpē-pəl How to pronounce townspeople (audio)
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
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.
There was to be a magnificent number with the townspeople in matching spandex outfits bitchily slamming their doors in unison to an ever-swelling melody. Hannah Gold, Harper's Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025 In both movies, the younger Talbot is bitten by a werewolf shortly after his return home, with his father — at least initially — protecting him from the townspeople eager to kill the beast. Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 22 Jan. 2025 At least that’s the warning the caretaker delivers — the nearest townspeople stay miles away, and no one will come nearer. Gayle Sequeira, Vulture, 20 Jan. 2025 But its success hasn’t necessarily been embraced by the townspeople. Peter Rubin, Longreads, 12 Dec. 2024 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 3 Mar. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on townspeople

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