populace
Americannoun
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the common people of a community, nation, etc., as distinguished from the higher classes.
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all the inhabitants of a place; population.
noun
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the inhabitants of an area
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the common people; masses
Etymology
Origin of populace
1565–75; < French < Italian popolaccio, equivalent to popol ( o ) people + -accio pejorative suffix
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The protests were rare public displays of discontent by a populace that’s endured Western-imposed economic sanctions and a sclerotic, corruption-riddled economy that has hobbled much of this oil-rich country of 93 million into poverty.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026
The populace reacted so strongly to those images.
From Slate • Feb. 2, 2026
Plato saw it as an inevitable consequence of democracy, when a quest for freedom leads to excess and the populace demands a strongman.
From Salon • Jan. 15, 2026
If Kazin had any say, food security for the populace would be the priority.
From MarketWatch • Jan. 8, 2026
The blind man, Seer, made his way through the lanes of Village, checking on the populace, assessing the well-being of each individual.
From "Messenger" by Lois Lowry
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
