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
Their descendants make up nearly a quarter of the Bermudian population, and their history is on exhibit at the National Museum of Bermuda, one of the highlights of the Royal Naval Dockyard, a sprawling fort that houses shops, restaurants, bars, and other activities.
—
Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2025
On January 22, the third day of the Trump administration's second term, President Donald Trump re-designated the Houthis a foreign terrorist organization, a label former President Joe Biden lifted during his tenure due to concerns about its humanitarian impact on the Yemeni population.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
Its satellites simply aren’t capable of serving many internet customers in densely populated areas, and in rural regions the population that can afford to pay its high prices is limited.
—Jeremy Bogaisky, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
If a portion of the population’s cognitive function is diminished, even a little bit, the overall impact is enormous.
—Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for population
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2025
On January 22, the third day of the Trump administration's second term, President Donald Trump re-designated the Houthis a foreign terrorist organization, a label former President Joe Biden lifted during his tenure due to concerns about its humanitarian impact on the Yemeni population.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
Its satellites simply aren’t capable of serving many internet customers in densely populated areas, and in rural regions the population that can afford to pay its high prices is limited.
—Jeremy Bogaisky, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
If a portion of the population’s cognitive function is diminished, even a little bit, the overall impact is enormous.
—Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for population
Cite this Entry
“Population.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/population. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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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