: 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
Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 27 June 2024
China Merchants Group, China Everbright Group and Citic Group Corp. are among state entities that have conveyed the guidance to employees at some of their units in recent weeks, said the people, asking not to be identified discussing a private matter.
—Alena Botros, Fortune Asia, 27 June 2024
Subsequently, the people in an apartment block are quarantined and left to fend for themselves against a plague of venomous spiders.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 26 June 2024
Adam Hoffner, assistant chief patrol agent for the Border Patrol’s Miami sector, told the Herald the people will be taken to the agency’s facilities in Marathon, in the Middle Keys, and Dania Beach, in Broward County.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 26 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for the people 
Noun
What could at first just feel like a collection of glorified establishing shots turns into something else when many of the people begin waving at the camera.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 27 June 2024
China Merchants Group, China Everbright Group and Citic Group Corp. are among state entities that have conveyed the guidance to employees at some of their units in recent weeks, said the people, asking not to be identified discussing a private matter.
—Alena Botros, Fortune Asia, 27 June 2024
Subsequently, the people in an apartment block are quarantined and left to fend for themselves against a plague of venomous spiders.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 26 June 2024
Adam Hoffner, assistant chief patrol agent for the Border Patrol’s Miami sector, told the Herald the people will be taken to the agency’s facilities in Marathon, in the Middle Keys, and Dania Beach, in Broward County.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 26 June 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.
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“The people.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20people. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
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