the working class

Universal Words noun [sing.+sing./pl.v.] (also the working classes [pl.]) the social class whose members do not have much money or power and are usually employed to do MANUAL work (= physical work using their hands): the political party of the working class * The working class has / have rejected them in the elections. compareMIDDLECLASS, UPPERCLASS working-class adjective: a working-class background / community / family