population

noun

pop·​u·​la·​tion ˌpä-pyə-ˈlā-shən 

1

a

: the whole number of people or inhabitants in a country or region

b

: the total of individuals occupying an area or making up a whole

c

: the total of particles at a particular energy level

—used especially of atoms in a laser

2

: the act or process of populating

3

a

: a body of persons or individuals having a quality or characteristic in common

b(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

ˌpä-pyə-ˈlā-shnəl 

-shə-nᵊl

adjective

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 on the Web

In Michigan, the Democratic National Committee filed briefs earlier this year urging a judge to reject a GOP challenge accusing multiple Michigan counties of having more registered voters on their rolls than people over 18 in their populations. —Sarah Bedford, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Sep. 2024

Their ability to reproduce in different ways helps ensure that their populations can recover even after significant declines. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 7 Sep. 2024

Wild kingdom The Iberian lynx has come back from the brink of extinction after decades of conservation work — and new technology could ensure that Spain’s lynx population has a long future. —Ashley Strickland, CNN, 7 Sep. 2024

This is particularly important for people who are pregnant or lactating, as the effects of palo azul have not been thoroughly studied in these populations. —Devineé Lingo, M.s., Rdn, Health, 6 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin population-, populatio, from Latin populus

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing population

• population density
• population drift
• population explosion

Kids Definition

population

noun

pop·​u·​la·​tion ˌpäp-yə-ˈlā-shən 

1

: the whole number of people living in a country or region

2

: the act or process of populating

3

: a group of one or more species of organisms living in a particular area or habitat

Medical Definition

population

noun

pop·​u·​la·​tion ˌpäp-yə-ˈlā-shən 

1

: the whole number of people or inhabitants in a country or region

2

a

: a body of persons or individuals having a quality or characteristic in common

b(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