■ plural noun
1》 human beings in general or considered collectively.
↘( the ~ ) the mass of citizens in a country; the populace.
2》 ( plural ~s ) [treated as sing. or plural ] a particular nation, community, or ethnic group: the native ~s of Canada.
3》 ( one's ~ ) one's employees or supporters.
4》 ( one's ~ ) dated one's parents or relatives.
■ verb
1》 (of a particular group of ~) inhabit.
↘fill or be present in.
2》 fill (an area or place) with a particular group of inhabitants.
Derivatives
~hood noun
Origin
ME: from Anglo-Norman Fr. poeple , from L. populus 'populace'.
Usage
On the distinction between ~ and persons , see usage at person .