population

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noun pop·u·la·tion \ˌpä-pyə-ˈlā-shən\

Definition of population

1a : the whole number of people or inhabitants in a country or regionb : the total of individuals occupying an area or making up a wholec : the total of particles at a particular energy level —used especially of atoms in a laser
2 : the act or process of populating
3a : a body of persons or individuals having a quality or characteristic in commonb (1) : the organisms inhabiting a particular locality (2) : a group of interbreeding organisms that represents the level of organization at which speciation begins
4 : a group of individual persons, objects, or items from which samples are taken for statistical measurement

populational

play \-shnəl, -shə-n^əl\ adjective

See population defined for English-language learners

See population defined for kids

Examples of population in a Sentence

The world's population has increased greatly.
The city has experienced an increase in population.
There has been a sharp reduction in the bat population in this region.
the rural population of America

Recent Examples of population from the Web

International migrants as a percentage of the populationSource: United Nations Trump Russia: Vladimir Putin has repeatedly praised Trump, who campaigned on a pledge to build better relations with Russia.

— alan crawford, Bloomberg.com, "The Flashpoints for World Leaders at the Hamburg G-20", 6 July 2017
In 1997, the population was estimated at 567 individuals.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "Mexico Will Use Dolphins to Herd the Endangered Vaquita to Safety", 6 July 2017
The population of East Hampton quadruples in the summer months and the airport is flooded with visitors.

— maggie maloney, Town & Country, "East Hampton Residents Are Trying to Limit Noise From Local Airport Traffic", 5 July 2017
Casualty estimates for an attack on the civilian population are much higher, with some studies projecting more than 300,000 dead in the opening days.

— motoko rich, New York Times, "In North Korea, ‘Surgical Strike’ Could Spin Into ‘Worst Kind of Fighting’", 5 July 2017
Learn how to help stray cat populationA program on how to help outside cats with Trap-Neuter-Return is from 10 to noon July 15 at PAWS, 8301 W. 191st St., Tinley Park.

— Daily Southtown, "Community news", 5 July 2017
How the district serves and supports minority populations.

— katy bergen, kansascity, "Parents behind new Shawnee Mission PAC set sights on changing district", 5 July 2017
But Mizrahi or part-Mizrahi Jews make up roughly half of Israel's Jewish population.

— aron heller, Jewish Journal, "Israel's Labor Party looks to rebrand with leadership vote", 5 July 2017
In Perry County, 40 percent of the population lives below the federal poverty line, the highest of any county in the state.

— anna claire vollers, AL.com, "Alabama is 6th poorest state in nation; poverty rate at 40 percent in some counties", 3 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'population'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of population

Late Latin population-, populatio, from Latin populus

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First Known Use: 1612

See Words from the same year

Other Ecology Terms

Malthusian, anthropogenic, biomass, carbon footprint, crepuscular, niche, sere, symbiosis, taiga, tundra

POPULATION Defined for English Language Learners

population

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noun

Definition of population for English Language Learners

: the number of people who live in a place
: a group of people or animals of a particular kind that live in a place

POPULATION Defined for Kids

population

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noun pop·u·la·tion \ˌpä-pyə-ˈlā-shən\

Definition of population for Students

1 : the whole number of people living in a country, city, or area
2 : a group of people or animals living in a certain place the deer population

Word Root of population

The Latin word populus, meaning “people,” gives us the root popul. Words from the Latin populus have something to do with people. A population is the group of people living in a particular place. Anything popular is common among or enjoyed by many people. A place that is populous has many people living in it.

Medical Dictionary

population

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noun pop·u·la·tion \ˌpäp-yə-ˈlā-shən\

Medical Definition of population

1: the whole number of people or inhabitants in a country or region
2a: a body of persons or individuals having a quality or characteristic in commonb (1): the organisms inhabiting a particular locality (2): a group of interbreeding organisms that represents the level of organization at which speciation begins
3: a group of individual persons, objects, or items from which samples are taken for statistical measurement