meeple

A meeple is a small, stylized pawn that is commonly used as a player token in modern board games. The term "meeple" is a portmanteau of "my" and "people" and was coined by the creators of the board game Carcassonne. Meeples are typically made of wood or plastic and are designed to represent a player's character or workforce within the game. They are characterized by their simple, humanoid shape, often featuring a rounded head, a rectangular body, and two stubby legs. This distinctive design allows them to stand upright on game boards and be easily distinguished from other game components. The popularity of meeples has grown significantly with the rise of the hobby board game market, and they have become an iconic symbol of contemporary tabletop gaming. Many games now feature meeples in various colors to represent different players, and some games even include specialized meeples with unique shapes or abilities. Their simple yet recognizable form has made them a beloved and functional element in a wide range of strategy and Euro-style games.