: 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
Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Aug. 2025
The streamer has invested billions of dollars in South Korean TV—even if the people really driving K-drama’s success appear to see little of it—and in return, 80% of subscribers watch Korean content as the streamer garners a bevy of awards for its trouble.
—Geoffrey Bunting, Time, 1 Aug. 2025
In the United States of America, power must lie with the people.
—Oumou Fofana, Essence, 1 Aug. 2025
The proposal is still in draft form and could be subject to change, said the people, who asked not to be named because the discussions are private.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for the people
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Noun
Bring it all to life this month by saying yes only to the people, opportunities, and experiences that excite you, and no to anyone or anything that drains your bright light.
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Aug. 2025
The streamer has invested billions of dollars in South Korean TV—even if the people really driving K-drama’s success appear to see little of it—and in return, 80% of subscribers watch Korean content as the streamer garners a bevy of awards for its trouble.
—Geoffrey Bunting, Time, 1 Aug. 2025
In the United States of America, power must lie with the people.
—Oumou Fofana, Essence, 1 Aug. 2025
The proposal is still in draft form and could be subject to change, said the people, who asked not to be named because the discussions are private.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for the people
Cite this Entry
“The people.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20people. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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