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people; persons; everyone; ladies and gentlemen
Note: polite plural referring to people
「方々」 has another reading with different meanings.
お世話になった先生方にお礼を言いたい。
I want to thank all the teachers who helped me.
今回ご協力いただいた方々に感謝します。
I am grateful to everyone who helped this time.
ご参加くださった方々に心より御礼申し上げます。
I offer my sincere thanks to everyone who attended.