Formal term for the general populace, often used in legal, political, or literary contexts. Not used in casual conversation.
It's nerve-wracking to give a speech in front of the public.
This law was created to protect the interests of the people.
in full view of the public; with everyone watching
Compound of 衆 (many people) and 人 (person). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the spelling is conventionally associated with the meaning 'the people' or 'the public'.