overpopulation

noun

over·​pop·​u·​la·​tion ˌō-vər-ˌpä-pyə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce overpopulation (audio)
: 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 Controlling the peafowl overpopulation has been a challenge. Sandra Gutierrez, Popular Science, 25 Oct. 2023 India was importing wheat in the 1960s because of policy decisions, not overpopulation. Glenn Davis Stone, The Conversation, 4 Oct. 2023 Hazbin Hotel centers on Charlie, the princess of Hell, and her mission of rehabilitating demons as a means of peacefully reducing overpopulation in the realm. Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Sep. 2023 The concert was divided into quadrants, and all 10 deaths occurred due to overpopulation and compaction within a single quadrant, Houston police officials said at a news conference Thursday. S. Dev, CBS News, 29 June 2023 Animal advocates hope changes will be made for the better — but also that the situation will bring to light the overpopulation of small pets. Emily Alvarenga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Oct. 2023 Advertisement Cantrell added the pandemic still plays a role in the overpopulation of puppies and kittens at shelters. Noor Adatia, Dallas News, 14 July 2023 But the Bureau of Land Management says their numbers have surged, and the resulting overpopulation requires interventions that cost taxpayers millions, hurts vegetation and wildlife, and creates challenges for cattle ranchers whose cows share the land. Mark Scaglione, NBC News, 27 Sep. 2023 Underpopulation, not overpopulation, is the bigger problem. Robert Whaples, National Review, 18 June 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overpopulation.' 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

1802, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of overpopulation was in 1802

Dictionary Entries Near overpopulation

Cite this Entry

“Overpopulation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overpopulation. Accessed 7 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

overpopulation

noun
over·​pop·​u·​la·​tion -ˌpäp-yə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce overpopulation (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce overpopulation (audio)
: the condition of having a population so dense as to cause environmental deterioration, an impaired quality of life, or a population crash
overpopulated adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on overpopulation

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