peasantry

American  

[pez-uhn-tree] / ˈpɛz ən tri /

noun

1. peasants collectively.

2. the status or character of a peasant.

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peasantry British  

/ ˈpɛzəntrɪ /

noun

1. peasants as a class

2. conduct characteristic of peasants

3. the status of a peasant

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Etymology

Origin of peasantry

First recorded in 1545–55; peasant + -ry

Example Sentences

Claudius has made himself a monarch again, standing at the head of a shrieking horde of desperate peasantry who believe he can unbar the door to that heavenly place.

From The Wall Street Journal

Yet the mood of the local villagers was not unlike that of the Russian peasantry, for a revolution of sorts was brewing among them.

From Literature

Instead we are left with Henry attempting to install a kinder, gentler way of taxing the peasantry; Julia scheming to keep her pregnancy safe; and Ellen and Brian preparing to risk it all for love.

From Los Angeles Times

They are members of a technological medieval peasantry.

From Salon

Zubak’s desire to redistribute land to the peasantry and his elevation of rural culture is the stuff of many if not most revolutions.

From Los Angeles Times