Showing results for "masses"

• present tense form of mass (3rd person singular).
• plural of mass.

masses

British  

/ ˈmæsɪz /

plural noun

1. the body of common people

2. informal (often foll by of) great numbers or quantities

   masses of food

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Explanation

The masses refers to a large, general group of regular folks — the common people of a society. If you’re super rich, you ride around in a private jet while the masses take crowded buses. The masses don’t include celebrities, rich people, royalty, or political leaders. The masses are everybody else. People use this term when they need to speak generally about the majority, although it often refers to the lower class. To win an election, a politician must appeal to the masses. Popular movies and music also must appeal to the masses — in other words, they need mass appeal. The word masses is also just plural for any kind of mass.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

masses

But the task is complicated by the fact that risks are dispersed across the Himalayas, while a 2015 earthquake destabilized many rock masses on the southern slopes, the embassy said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 30, 2026

She wrote thousands of songs, but it was television that made her most popular ones, and her, accessible to the masses.

From Salon ● Aug. 26, 2026

Scientists have now tested that same relationship using masses and distances that were "inconceivable in Newton's day," Gallardo says.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 25, 2026

Or how to make boat restoration interesting to the masses.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2026

But they affected the unlearned masses worst of all.

From "The Chosen" by Chaim Potok