peoples
Noun 1. Plural of 'people' in the sense of distinct ethnic or national groups: Refers to multiple distinct communities, nations, or ethnic groups, each considered as a collective body with shared culture, history, or identity.
The word 'peoples' is used specifically to discuss multiple distinct ethnic, national, or cultural groups. It emphasizes the plurality of separate collective identities, unlike the more general plural 'people', which can refer to a large number of individuals.
- Noun:
- The museum exhibits artifacts from the peoples of the ancient Mediterranean.
- International law recognizes the rights of indigenous peoples.
- The treaty was signed by the representatives of several different peoples.
- "the peoples of the world": A formal phrase referring collectively to all the distinct nations and ethnic groups on Earth.
- The United Nations aims to promote peace among the peoples of the world.
- People (noun):
- (Plural) Human beings in general. The city square was full of people.
- (Singular) The men, women, and children of a particular nation, community, or ethnic group. The Maori people have a rich cultural heritage.
- Ethnic groups
- Nations
- Communities (when referring to distinct cultural or ethnic bodies)
- Populations (in a demographic or ethnic context)
The distinction between 'people' and 'peoples' is important for precise communication: * Use 'people' to refer to a large number of persons or to a single ethnic/national group (e.g., the French people). * Use 'peoples' only when referring to more than one such distinct group (e.g., the Celtic peoples of Europe).
- the human beings of a particular nation or community or ethnic group
- the indigenous peoples of Australia