With plural agreement. Chiefly with the: young people as a class. Frequently contrasted with old. Cf. young and old n. at phrases 1.

Young people (or creatures) collectively; the young. (With or without the; now always construed as plural.)

= maidenhood, n. Cf. old-maidhood, n.

Young people collectively; = youth, n. 5.

Youths collectively: = youth, n. 5.

Hence, as a collective term for young or insignificant beings: now chiefly with modifying word, esp. in… Young or insignificant persons (collectively…

younkers (sense 2a) collectively; youth.

A hypothetical man and woman; male and female representatives of the common or ordinary people. Cf. Jack, n.2 1 jill, n. 1b.

Young people; the young.

concrete. Young people collectively: = youth, n. 5.

concrete. Juveniles collectively; ‘youth’.

Originally: the group of fashionable counter-revolutionaries formed in France after the fall of Robespierre. Later more generally: young people of…

figurative. a collective term for young persons, alluding to their characteristically vigorous and unrestrained behaviour or ways.

Youth; young people collectively, esp. viewed by others as a constituency to be catered for (as regards entertainment, marketing, etc.); also spec.…