What does "masses" mean?

1. (large quantities) a very large amount or number of something. 2. (the general public) the ordinary people in a society, rather than the leaders or the rich. 3. (religious services) more than one Catholic or religious service.

masses

US //ˈmæsəz// UK //mˈæsɪz// mass·es

1 large quantities (n.)
B1 Intermediate

a very large amount or number of something.

the plural form of mass, used to denote large, often indefinite quantities or volumes of material or objects.

Example

There were masses of flowers in the park during the spring festival.

Example

The researchers spent months sorting through masses of data collected during the initial phase of the clinical trial.
- handful
- scarcity
2 the general public (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

the ordinary people in a society, rather than the leaders or the rich.

the general population or the lower social classes, often viewed as a collective political or social force.

Example

The politician tried to appeal to the masses by promising lower taxes.

Example

The revolutionary leader sought to educate the masses, believing that a literate population was the only true defense against tyranny.
- elite
- aristocracy

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3 religious services (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Formal Religion

more than one Catholic or religious service.

the plural of Mass; the celebration of the Eucharist in the Roman Catholic Church and some other Christian traditions.

Example

The cathedral holds several masses every Sunday morning.

Example

During the holy week, the parish schedules additional masses to accommodate the influx of visiting pilgrims.
- liturgies
- services