1. people who lived in ancient times, especially those of classical antiquity
Usage: plural form

Examples

• The ancients believed that the Earth was the center of the universe.
• Many philosophical ideas from the ancients still influence us today.
• The ancients built impressive monuments that survive to this day.
• Greek and Roman ancients made significant contributions to mathematics.
• We can learn much about medicine from the ancients.
• The ancients developed sophisticated systems of government.
• Art techniques used by the ancients are still studied in schools.