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
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
An increase in cavities from the Emerald Ash Borer may have contributed to the population growth in southern Michigan, according to the state Department of Natural Resources.
—
Jennifer Dixon, Detroit Free Press, 15 Apr. 2024
The new data will show that California’s population, as of Jan. 1, has again climbed above 39 million, Schwarm said.
—George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for population 
Jennifer Dixon, Detroit Free Press, 15 Apr. 2024
The new data will show that California’s population, as of Jan. 1, has again climbed above 39 million, Schwarm said.
—George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for population
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'population.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near population
Cite this Entry
“Population.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/population. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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