peo·ple
(pē′pəl)n. pl. people 1. a. Humans considered as a group or in indefinite numbers. Often treated as a plural of person, alone and in compounds: People were dancing in the street. I met all sorts of people. This book is not intended for laypeople.
b. The mass of ordinary persons; the populace. Used with the: "those who fear and distrust the people, and wish to draw all powers from them into the hands of the higher classes" (Thomas Jefferson).
2. a. A body of persons living in the same country under one national government; a nationality.
b. The citizens of a political unit, such as a nation or state; the electorate. Used with the.
3. pl. peo·ples A body of persons sharing a common religion, culture, or language: the peoples of central Asia.
4. a. Persons with regard to their residence, class, profession, or group: city people; farming people.
b. Persons subordinate to or loyal to a ruler, superior, or employer: The manager would like to introduce you to our people in the regional office.
c. A person's family, relatives, or ancestors: Where are your people from?
5. Informal Animals or other beings distinct from humans: Rabbits and squirrels are the furry little people of the woods.
tr.v. peo·pled,
peo·pling,
peo·ples 1. To settle or inhabit with people; populate.
2. To be present in or on (a place): "The stores ... are peopled by serious shoppers" (Perri Klass).
[Middle English peple, from Old French pueple, from Latin populus, of Etruscan origin.]
peo′pler n.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
| Noun | 1. | peoples - the human beings of a particular nation or community or ethnic group; "the indigenous peoples of Australia"people - (plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively; "old people"; "there were at least 200 people in the audience" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
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