1
: a member of a European class of persons tilling the soil as small landowners or as laborers
This land was farmed by peasants for centuries.
also
: a member of a similar class elsewhere
2
: a usually uneducated person of low social status
They treated us like a bunch of peasants.
Examples of peasant in a Sentence
They treated us like a bunch of peasants.
Recent Examples on the Web
Along with suffering mothers and children, Kollwitz’ prints are defined by her depictions of struggling peasants–farmers and laborers.
—
Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Many of the specifics of Mao’s thought were geared toward China’s own realities of peasant revolution and the search for a post-Qing political settlement.
—Rana Mitter, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
Wealthier merchants, for example, were charged double the poll tax rate and five times the property rate of a free peasant.
—Rosie McCall, Discover Magazine, 8 Apr. 2025
The restrictive Prussian voting system diluted the impact of rural peasants, who were often more conservative than the liberal elite voted into the legislature.
—Christine Adams / Made By History, TIME, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for peasant
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Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Many of the specifics of Mao’s thought were geared toward China’s own realities of peasant revolution and the search for a post-Qing political settlement.
—Rana Mitter, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
Wealthier merchants, for example, were charged double the poll tax rate and five times the property rate of a free peasant.
—Rosie McCall, Discover Magazine, 8 Apr. 2025
The restrictive Prussian voting system diluted the impact of rural peasants, who were often more conservative than the liberal elite voted into the legislature.
—Christine Adams / Made By History, TIME, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for peasant
Cite this Entry
“Peasant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peasant. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
peasant
noun
peas·ant
ˈpez-ᵊnt 
1
: a European small farmer or farm laborer
2
: a member of a similar agricultural class elsewhere
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