populace

American  

[pop-yuh-luhs] / ˈpɒp yə ləs /

noun

1. the common people of a community, nation, etc., as distinguished from the higher classes.

2. all the inhabitants of a place; population.

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populace British  

/ ˈpɒpjʊləs /

noun

1. the inhabitants of an area

2. the common people; masses

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Etymology

Origin of populace

1565–75; < French < Italian popolaccio, equivalent to popol ( o ) people + -accio pejorative suffix

Explanation

The populace is a way to refer to a group of people in general, like the masses or a population. Populace, in its original use, was a negative way of referring to ordinary people, as opposed to rich, privileged, or royal people. A king might try to understand the mindset of the populace, but it's likely that he had no idea what their lives were really like. Populace can also be a neutral term that refers to a group of people living in a particular place. For example, New York City has a populace of about eight million people.

Example Sentences

Rather, he said, leaders in a republic must seek to “mold” public sentiment—to convince an often skeptical populace that a controversial course of action is justified.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

The populace reacted so strongly to those images.

From Slate • Feb. 2, 2026

Plato saw it as an inevitable consequence of democracy, when a quest for freedom leads to excess and the populace demands a strongman.

From Salon • Jan. 15, 2026

If Kazin had any say, food security for the populace would be the priority.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 8, 2026

I saw two extraordinary novelties, grandeur competing with splendor and the populace striving to exceed their city.

From "Circumference" by Nicholas Nicastro