populate
verb
pop·u·late
ˈpä-pyə-ˌlāt 
populated; populating
2
a
: to furnish or provide with inhabitants : people
b
: to provide with members
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
So, New Zealand—English-speaking, low in crime, lightly populated, and free of gift, estate, and wealth taxes—is looking like paradise.
—
Alison Boleyn, Robb Report, 26 July 2025
And lots of people to populate the resulting space.
—David Lyman, The Enquirer, 25 July 2025
Gurdon argues these buffer zones are a weakness for China, as they are populated by resentful, non-Chinese ethnicities.
—Amy Delaura, The Washington Examiner, 23 July 2025
These places were often medium-sized, like a town or neighborhood, and sparsely populated.
—New Atlas, 20 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for populate
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Alison Boleyn, Robb Report, 26 July 2025
And lots of people to populate the resulting space.
—David Lyman, The Enquirer, 25 July 2025
Gurdon argues these buffer zones are a weakness for China, as they are populated by resentful, non-Chinese ethnicities.
—Amy Delaura, The Washington Examiner, 23 July 2025
These places were often medium-sized, like a town or neighborhood, and sparsely populated.
—New Atlas, 20 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for populate
Cite this Entry
“Populate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/populate. Accessed 8 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
populate
verb
pop·u·late
ˈpäp-yə-ˌlāt
populated; populating
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