populace
noun /ˈpɒpjələs/
/ˈpɑːpjələs/
(usually the populace)
[singular + singular or plural verb] (formal)- all the ordinary people of a particular country or area
- He had the support of large sections of the local populace.
- The populace at large is/are opposed to sudden change.
Word Originlate 16th cent.: from French, from Italian popolaccio ‘common people’, from popolo ‘people’ + the pejorative suffix -accio.