peasant

American  

[pez-uhnt] / ˈpɛz ənt /

noun

1. a member of a class of persons, as in Europe, Asia, and Latin America, who are small farmers or farm laborers of low social rank.

2. a coarse, unsophisticated, boorish, uneducated person of little financial means.

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of peasants or their traditions, way of life, crafts, etc.

2. of or designating a style of clothing modeled on the folk costumes of Western cultures, especially women's full-sleeved, round-necked blouses and long, full skirts.

peasant British  

/ ˈpɛzənt /

noun

1. 1. a member of a class of low social status that depends on either cottage industry or agricultural labour as a means of subsistence

   2. ( as modifier )

      peasant dress

2. informal a person who lives in the country; rustic

3. informal an uncouth or uncultured person

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peasant Cultural  

1. A farmer or agricultural worker of low status. The word is applied chiefly to agricultural workers in Asia, Europe, and South America, who generally adhere to traditional agricultural practices and have little social mobility or freedom.

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Other Word Forms

• peasantlike
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of peasant

1375–1425; late Middle English paissaunt < Anglo-French paisant, Old French païsant, earlier païsenc, equivalent to païs country (< Late Latin pāgēnsis, equivalent to Latin pāg ( us ) country district + -ēnsis -ensis ) + -enc < Germanic ( see -ing ³)

Explanation

If you enjoy reading tales set in the Middle Ages, you’ve probably encountered your fair share of knights, dragons, and peasants, or residents of the countryside. During the Middle Ages in Europe, most members of the population were peasants who lived a meager existence, working farmland that was owned by wealthy noblemen. Peasant is still used sometimes today to describe a relatively poor person who works as a farm laborer. Peasant can also be used to mean “an unsophisticated and ill-mannered person,” so when using this word, be sure your intended meaning is clear.

Example Sentences

Peasant farmers' efforts to provide food for the nation -- and their own families -- is further hampered by difficulties of getting produce to market and by competition from cheap imports.

From Barron's • Nov. 26, 2025

“We know it’s not a lot,” said Jean Emmanuel Joseph, who oversees food distribution for the Center for Peasant Organization and Community Action.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 15, 2024

Laurence Marandola, a spokesman for the Peasant Confederation union body, told the RTL radio network that Mr Attal's concessions were "very largely insufficient".

From BBC • Jan. 26, 2024

Therefore, I stuck to the Valley and met most of my dates at the Local Peasant in Sherman Oaks or the Surly Goat in Encino.

From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2023

I know you all call him the Peasant...

From "Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie" by Jordan Sonnenblick