Masses: meaning, definitions and examples

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masses

[ˈmæsɪz ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

large groups

Masses refer to large groups or quantities of people or things. It can also refer to the common people, as opposed to the elite or ruling class.

Synonyms

crowd, crowd, multitude.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
masses	Used to refer to a large and indistinct group of people, often in a sociopolitical context. Commonly implies the general population or the common people. Politicians need to understand the needs of the masses to gain their support. The new policy was implemented to benefit the masses.
crowd	Typically used to describe a large number of people gathered in one place, especially in a public space. It often conveys a sense of disorder or noise. The crowd cheered loudly at the concert. We had to push our way through the crowd to get to the entrance.
multitude	Implies a very large number of people or things. Often used for emphasizing diversity or vastness of size and number. Carries a more literary or formal tone. A multitude of stars was visible in the night sky. There is a multitude of factors that contribute to climate change.

Word

Description / Examples

masses

Used to refer to a large and indistinct group of people, often in a sociopolitical context. Commonly implies the general population or the common people.

Politicians need to understand the needs of the masses to gain their support.
The new policy was implemented to benefit the masses.

crowd

Typically used to describe a large number of people gathered in one place, especially in a public space. It often conveys a sense of disorder or noise.

The crowd cheered loudly at the concert.
We had to push our way through the crowd to get to the entrance.

multitude

Implies a very large number of people or things. Often used for emphasizing diversity or vastness of size and number. Carries a more literary or formal tone.

A multitude of stars was visible in the night sky.
There is a multitude of factors that contribute to climate change.

Examples of usage

The masses gathered in the square to protest against the government.
She wanted to create art that would appeal to the masses.
The politician promised to fight for the rights of the masses.
The teacher struggled to control the masses of students in the classroom.
The new technology was quickly adopted by the masses.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

Catholic ritual

In the Roman Catholic Church, Masses are religious services that commemorate the Last Supper of Jesus Christ.

Synonyms

ceremony, ritual, service.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
masses	Often used in a religious context to describe the celebration of the Eucharist or similar communal worship in Christianity. He attends masses every Sunday at his local church. Christmas masses are usually very crowded.
service	Describes a religious ceremony or formal acts of worship, but can also refer to acts of assistance or favor done for others. She volunteers in community service every weekend. The church service will begin at 9 AM.
ceremony	Refers to a formal event that is performed on special occasions, often with rituals and traditions, such as weddings, graduations, or other significant events. The wedding ceremony was held in a beautiful garden. The award ceremony honored the best in the industry.
ritual	Pertains to a set series of actions or type of behavior regularly and invariably followed by someone, often with spiritual or cultural significance. Morning meditation is an important ritual for her. The initiation ritual for the new members was elaborate.

Examples of usage

She attended Mass every Sunday at her local church.
The priest conducted a special Mass for Easter Sunday.
The local community came together for a Mass in memory of the deceased.
The Mass was conducted in Latin.
The Mass included prayers, hymns, and communion.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'masses' comes from the Latin 'massa,' meaning a lump or mass of something.
In the Middle Ages, 'masses' referred not only to large groups but also to church services.
The transition from the Latin term to modern English reflects changes in how collective gatherings were perceived.

Sociology

In sociology, 'masses' often refers to groups of people who share common characteristics or experiences, influencing social dynamics.
Mass movements in history, like civil rights or labor movements, showed the power of large groups advocating for change.
The term helps to analyze collective behavior, emphasizing emotions and actions of the crowd.

Physics

In a scientific context, 'mass' relates to the amount of matter in an object, which influences its resistance to acceleration.
Understanding mass is crucial in physics, affecting gravitational attraction in both cosmology and everyday life.
Mass is a fundamental property that impacts how objects interact, helping us understand everything from planets to particles.

Pop Culture

The term often appears in music and art, symbolizing collective human experience, like in songs about crowds or movements.
Movies frequently portray dramatic scenes of masses, such as protests or celebrations, to highlight social themes.
The idea of 'masses' is explored in literature, illustrating themes of individual versus collective identity.

Psychology

'Mass psychology' studies how people are influenced by group norms and behavior, especially in large gatherings.
Understanding crowd behavior can shed light on phenomena like mob mentality or social contagion.
Psychologists study how collective emotions, such as happiness or fear, spread among large groups.

Translations

Translations of the word "masses" in other languages:

🇵🇹 massas

🇮🇳 द्रव्य

🇩🇪 Massen

🇮🇩 massa

🇺🇦 маси

🇵🇱 masy

🇯🇵 質量

🇫🇷 masses

🇪🇸 masas

🇹🇷 kütleler

🇰🇷 질량

🇸🇦 كتل

🇨🇿 hmoty

🇸🇰 hmotnosti

🇨🇳 质量

🇸🇮 mase

🇮🇸 massi

🇰🇿 массалар

🇬🇪 მასები

🇦🇿 kütlələr

🇲🇽 masas

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,195, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.

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3192 proceeded
3193 arc
3194 stomach
3195 masses
3196 kg
3197 disability
3198 virtually
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