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

“This message resonated with grassroots blacks. Polls consistently revealed that the majority of the black populace supported Thomas’s nomination and that the lower the income level, the greater the support.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 26, 2026

The protests were rare public displays of discontent by a populace that’s endured Western-imposed economic sanctions and a sclerotic, corruption-riddled economy that has hobbled much of this oil-rich country of 93 million into poverty.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

The populace reacted so strongly to those images.

From Slate • Feb. 2, 2026

Faber is positive about one thing: the ability of capitalism to lift the world’s populace out of poverty.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 9, 2026

But the Inka army’s plan to burn down the town and prevent the invaders from crossing the river was foiled by the native Xauxa and Wanka populace, which had long resented the empire.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann