repopulate

verb

re·​pop·​u·​late (ˌ)rē-ˈpä-pyə-ˌlāt How to pronounce repopulate (audio)
repopulated; repopulating

transitive verb

: to populate (something) again
As cougars repopulate much of their former range, however, they are also encountering humans more frequently.William K. Stevens
… captive breeding programs are helping to repopulate endangered species.Mike Capuzzo
In modern times it was depopulated when distant city jobs attracted its people, then repopulated by city people.Jane Jacobs
Any new bone-marrow cells can survive and repopulate the recipient's defense apparatus provided the markers on the cell surfaces are the same as those of the donor.Lewis Thomas
repopulation noun
The first step is the repopulation of buffalo, the Plains' signature animal. Edmunds V. Bunkse
… even high total doses of radiation … may not be effective in controlling tumors capable of accelerated repopulation, since the rate of cell division may outpace that of cell loss stemming from treatment. Allen S. Lichter et al.

Examples of repopulate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Some areas were previously targeted by Inside Safe and had repopulated, a mayoral aide said. Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2024 Yet after each of those encampment operations, streets first targeted by Inside Safe in 2022 — parts of Cahuenga Boulevard, Wilcox Avenue and Franklin — have repopulated. David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2024 Erosion had declined from 30 centimeters per year to 10 centimeters per year in areas repopulated by otters, according to Nature News. Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Feb. 2024 But the Bitterroot ecosystem has always been a place biologists and wildlife managers hypothesized bears would eventually repopulate on their own. Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 18 Jan. 2024 Employees also weren’t allowed to wipe out meetings and immediately repopulate them; the company requested workers wait two days before scheduling any new meetings, resulting in two completely meeting-less days. Paige McGlauflin, Fortune, 22 Dec. 2023 However, outreach teams returned to some of the Inside Safe locations that have repopulated in recent months, including streets in Hollywood and South L.A. On the docket for next week: L.A. on the Record will take a much deserved holiday break. Dorany Pineda, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2023 Above the patrons, including art stars like Marina Abramovic, is a mural by the painter Nina Nichols that imagines New York City repopulated with native plants and animals. Zachary Small, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2024 Yet many also survived and, eventually, repopulated the planet. Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 12 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'repopulate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of repopulate was in 1588

Dictionary Entries Near repopulate

Cite this Entry

“Repopulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/repopulate. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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