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

“She could go to restaurants without being photographed all the time … in the street, people didn’t stare at her or ask for her autograph.”

From Seattle Times • May 25, 2023

After the first arrest, over an altercation with other street people, he spent 22 days in jail.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 12, 2022

If a block’s been roped off because there’s an unexploded bomb buried in the street, people just go round another way.

From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin