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

To address the overpopulation problem, county officials have approved new deals with a local nonprofit to help sterilize and relocate many of the pint-size equines to sanctuaries. —Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2025

While Sheep focuses on environmental devastation, Stand delves into a wider range of subjects; AI, genetic engineering, hobby terrorism and pop culture, against the broad backdrop of overpopulation. —Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025

These estimates have evolved from the days when overpopulation fears were rampant. —Dylan Scott, Vox, 5 Feb. 2025

The latter goes back to the nonprofit’s founding mission to make pet care more accessible as a means of preventing pet homelessness and shelter overpopulation. —Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1802, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for overpopulation

• acclimatisation
• acclimatization
• acidification
• actualization
• annualization
• autocorrelation
• autoregulation
• beatification
• beneficiation
• biodegradation
• biotransformation
• bureaucratization

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