populate

verb

pop·​u·​late ˈpä-pyə-ˌlāt 

populated; populating

transitive verb

1

: to have a place in : occupy, inhabit

2

a

: to furnish or provide with inhabitants : people

b

: to provide with members

Synonyms

• colonize
• people
• settle

Examples of populate in a Sentence

Immigrants began to populate the area in the late 19th century.

Strange creatures populate the ocean depths.

Recent Examples on the Web

Whereas as most games in the series bounce between Mars-adjacent space stations, Earth, and various dimensions that constitute takes on heaven and hell, The Dark Ages is set in another realm, populated by humans at war with demonic forces. —Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 15 May 2025

What To Know The volcano's summit features a caldera—formed by volcanic eruptions—and supports vibrant hydrothermal vent ecosystems populated by microbes, tube worms, crabs, fish, octopuses and more. —Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025

Our country's immigrant population deserves the opportunity to thrive, and our communities, whether populated by immigrants or citizens alike, deserve better. —Annell López, Time, 12 May 2025

Moms like Williams populate the football landscape, but are recognized over and over again in the same way: individually, at specific times of the year, in media packages that highlight an extraordinary case. —Essence, 9 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin populātus, past participle of populāre "to provide with inhabitants,", derivative of Latin populus people entry 1

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for populate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate

Kids Definition

populate

verb

pop·​u·​late ˈpäp-yə-ˌlāt 

populated; populating

1

: to have a place in : occupy, inhabit

2

: to provide with inhabitants : people