townspeople

plural noun

towns·​peo·​ple ˈtau̇nz-ˌpē-pəl How to pronounce townspeople (audio)
1
: the inhabitants of a town or city : townsmen
2
: town-dwelling or town-bred persons

Examples of townspeople in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The American liberators made sure that the townspeople could no longer look away from the murderous rampage carried out in their backyards. Sara J. Brenneis, The Conversation, 7 Apr. 2025 In fact, Soviet tanks soon crushed the wall, and townspeople pilfered the workers’ scant rations. James Wood, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025 Moreover, townspeople at the time regarded the episode as an embarrassment. Richard Grant, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Mar. 2025 The grist mill, where townspeople would grind wheat into flour, is closed, with boards across the entryway. Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for townspeople

Word History

First Known Use

1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of townspeople was in 1587

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Cite this Entry

“Townspeople.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/townspeople. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

townspeople

plural noun
towns·​peo·​ple ˈtau̇nz-ˌpē-pəl How to pronounce townspeople (audio)
: the people who live in a town or city

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