members of the public
The general populace
Members of the public are ordinary people, as opposed to those with special status, expertise, or official roles.
The phrase distinguishes civilians from professionals, outsiders from insiders: The hearing was open to members of the public.
It appears frequently in official contexts—law, government, journalism—where institutions address or refer to citizens generally.
- individualsSeparate, distinct people
- citizensMembers of a nation
- laypeopleThose outside a profession
- civiliansNon-military population
- man on the streetCommon person, not expert
audience · complainants · activists · volunteers · residents · readership · witnesses · attendees · whistleblowers · interested parties · populace · passersby · viewers · jurors · voters · electorate · petitioners · listeners
members of the publicofficials
Those holding formal power
staff · employees · insiders · personnel · civil servants
members of the publicauthorized personnel
People granted official access
decision-makers · gatekeepers · management · executives · leadership
members of the publicprofessionals
Skilled, paid practitioners
first responders · emergency services · law enforcement · service providers · practitioners
member, public, members, publicly, publics, publication, publish, publisher, publishing