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

• inhabit
• people

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

With 160 acres of vines spread among 280 acres of land populated with old growth oaks at the heart of Napa Valley, Quintessa’s park-like setting is home to four distinct terroir zones offering a range of exposition, elevation, and soil type. —Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 21 Sep. 2025

There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries as the area is not populated by humans. —Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025

His storyline becomes a quest for truth within a shelter built on fantasies and populated by liars. —Judy Berman, Time, 19 Sep. 2025

Areas further out from stars than the Neptunian desert have been found to be more generously populated with Neptune-sized worlds. —Robert Lea, Space.com, 18 Sep. 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