people

noun

1. (countable, form-of, plural, uncountable)plural of person: a body of persons considered generally or collectively; a group of two or more persons.

   “There were so many people at the restaurant last night.”

   “These six people are waiting for the bus.”

   “Under dictatorship, people suffered and died.”

   “XXII people was in this parrish drownd.”

   “"What a charming amusement for young people this is, Mr. Darcy! There is nothing like dancing after all. I consider it as one of the first refinements of polished society."”

2. (collective, countable)Persons forming or belonging to a particular group, such as a nation, class, ethnic group, country, family, etc.

   “a people apart”

   “an industrious people”

   “the indigenous peoples of Europe”

   “the native peoples of Borneo”

   “`So, oh Holly. This people was an old people before the Egyptians were.'”

3. (countable, uncountable)A group of persons regarded as being servants, followers, companions or subjects of a ruler or leader.

   “Moses said, "Let my people go."”

   “his people were weary”

   “And Dauid reigned ouer all Iſrael, and Dauid executed iudgement and iuſtice vnto all his people.”

   “The ox knows its owner, and the ass its master's crib; but Israel does not know, my people does not understand.”

4. (countable, uncountable)One's colleagues or employees.

   “I'll have my people call your people.”

   “I have my people working on it.”

   “Kennedy looked down at Flood's desk and thought about the possibilities. "Can you locate him?" "I already have my people checking on all three. So far I've only been able to confirm the whereabouts of the Jordanian officer."”

   “Can I have one of my people get back to your people, Mr. President?" She tried to slam the phone back into the base and failed.”

5. (countable, uncountable)A person's ancestors, relatives or family.

   “My people lived through the Black Plague and the Thirty Years War.”

   “His people live out west.”

   “‘She’s going to her people in Wales,’ said Harris, ‘for the holidays, with the children; we’ve had an invitation.’”

6. (countable, uncountable)The mass of a community as distinguished from a special class (elite); the commonalty; the populace; the vulgar; the common crowd; the citizens.

   “The people have successfully stood up against tyranny and totalitarianism.”

   “The election is over and the people have spoken.”

   “The people won't tolerate so much corruption any more!”

   “The people have spoken, the bastards.”

7. (countable, uncountable)People in general, humans, by extension sentient beings real or fictional.

   “People don't like it when you tweak their noses.”

   “Teachers are people too.”

verb

1. (informal, rare)To interact with people; to socialize.

   “I don't people well.” “Not peopling well is a crap excuse,” I retorted, and started to step around him, but a sudden thought occurred to me.”

   “My head tilted as Calvin said, "Don't worry about him. He just doesn't people well. The fuck? I people. Sometimes. With people I know.”

   “I don't people well.” He laughed at that. “You do okay,” he assured her.”

2. (transitive)To stock with people or inhabitants; to fill as with people; to populate.

   “He would not be alone, who all things can; / But peopled Heav'n with Angels, Earth with Man.”

   “Scenes, long since forgotten, had been peopling his solitude with one still cherished image paramount over all; one young fair face, whose sweet eyes seemed to look upon him reproachfully:...”

3. (intransitive)To become populous or populated.
4. (transitive)To inhabit; to occupy; to populate.

   “[…] / As thick and numberless / As the gay motes that people the Sun Beams, / […]”