townspeople

American  

[tounz-pee-puhl] / ˈtaʊnzˌpi pəl /

plural noun

1. the inhabitants or citizenry of a town.

2. people person who were raised in a town or city.

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townspeople British  

/ ˈtaʊnzˌpiːpəl, ˈtaʊnzˌfəʊk /

noun

1. the inhabitants of a town; citizens

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Etymology

Origin of townspeople

First recorded in 1640–50; town + 's ¹ + people

Example Sentences

Mr. Oliveira approaches townspeople on the street, asking what they do for a living, how many children they have, and how they support so many kids.

From The Wall Street Journal

As we join the hundreds of townspeople gathered in the Plaza Mayor, we watch the solemn procession approach.

From Literature

Ideologies also flourished, including socialism, communism, Zionism and, among a growing number of non-Jewish townspeople, Nazism.

From The Wall Street Journal

Both feel socially ill at ease up against “the townspeople of Pennacook,” another refrain.

From The Wall Street Journal

Around midnight on April 18, 1775, Revere was ordered to ride to Lexington, Mass., and warn the townspeople that British soldiers, who were quartered in Boston, were ready to head their way.

From Salon