overpopulation

noun

over·​pop·​u·​la·​tion ˌō-vər-ˌpä-pyə-ˈlā-shən 

: the condition of having a population so dense as to cause environmental deterioration, an impaired quality of life, or a population crash

Examples of overpopulation in a Sentence

He is studying the problem of deer overpopulation.

Recent Examples on the Web

The biggest issues facing the sheriff’s office are with the in-custody deaths, overpopulation, individuals suffering from mental health illnesses sitting in jail instead of receiving treatment, inmates in jail over 90 days for under five hundred dollars, understaffing, turnover, and low morale. —Noah Alcala Bach, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Feb. 2024

Quick Read Deep Read ( 7 Min. ) March 29, 2024 After a century in which the global population grew almost fourfold to 6.2 billion people, stoking fears of overpopulation, conflict, and ecological collapse, a turning point awaits. —Simon Montlake, The Christian Science Monitor, 29 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1802, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

overpopulation

noun

over·​pop·​u·​la·​tion -ˌpäp-yə-ˈlā-shən 

: the condition of having too many people living in a certain area

Medical Definition

overpopulation

noun

over·​pop·​u·​la·​tion ˌō-vər-ˌpäp-yə-ˈlā-shən 

: the condition of having a population so dense as to cause environmental deterioration, an impaired quality of life, or a population crash

overpopulated

-ˈpäp-yə-ˌlāt-əd 

adjective