boat people

American  

plural noun

1. refugees who have fled a country by boat, usually without sufficient provisions, navigational aids, or a set destination, especially those who left Indochina by sea as a result of the fall of South Vietnam in 1975.

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boat people British  

plural noun

1. refugees, esp from Vietnam in the late 1970s, who leave by boat hoping to be picked up by ships of another country

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Etymology

Origin of boat people

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

Numerous people refuted her claims with information about the Jewish German doctor Magnus Hirschfeld, who was considered one of the first known advocates for transgender rights.

From Salon • Mar. 15, 2024

Numerous people sported merch from the fashion-forward ping-pong club Little Tokyo Table Tennis.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 12, 2023

Numerous people fled through the back door, the sheriff said.

From Washington Times • Aug. 27, 2023

Numerous people complained of dehydration, high blood pressure and exhaustion, while close to two dozen people were admitted to hospital.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2023

Numerous people there seem thronging, Old men, children, women, who Seem to call me.

From The Purgatory of St. Patrick by MacCarthy, Denis Florence