street people

American  

[street pee-puhl] / ˈstrit ˌpi pəl /

plural noun

1. people whose home is on the streets of a city; people who are unhoused or experiencing homelessness.

2. people who make their living on the streets, especially of large cities, as vendors or performers.

3. the people of a neighborhood, especially a poor and crowded big-city neighborhood, who frequent the streets of their area.

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Etymology

Origin of street people

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

“It can be used to point at people in the street, people in cars, and scan their facial prints without their consent,” said Kate Voigt, a senior policy counsel with the American Civil Liberties Union.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 5, 2026

In the street, people danced to the sound of reggae tunes and local funana music.

From Barron's • Oct. 13, 2025

On Holderness Road, the area's main shopping street, people were taking a walk around East Park in the autumn sunshine, despite freezing temperatures.

From BBC • Nov. 21, 2024

You’re watching people walk down the street, people are a little freaked out, places are closing down, there’s nobody out.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 12, 2023

While I’d been in San Francisco and I wore my uniform in the street, people of all kinds would come up to me and say hello.

From "Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two" by Joseph Bruchac