Population
ˌpɒpjʊˈleɪʃən
Definitions
2 meaningsThe total number of individuals of a particular species or group living in a given area.
ˌpɒpjʊˈleɪʃən
The total number of people inhabiting a country, city, or any area.
The world's population continues to grow.
💡 Simply: Imagine counting all the people in a town or a country. That number is the population! For example, if you count everyone in your school, that's the school's population.
👶 For kids: The population is how many people live somewhere!
More Examples
The city's population has increased significantly in recent years.
Scientists are studying the population of endangered species.
A large population can create challenges for the environment.
How It's Used
"The population of China is over 1.4 billion people."
"Researchers study population trends to understand societal changes."
A group of organisms of the same species inhabiting a specific area and capable of interbreeding.
ˌpɒpjʊˈleɪʃən
A group of individuals of the same species living in a particular geographic area.
The wolf population is recovering in the national park.
💡 Simply: It’s like a family of animals or plants living in the same place. For example, the population of squirrels in your backyard.
👶 For kids: It's a group of the same kind of animal or plant living in the same place, like all the squirrels in a park.
More Examples
The coral reef's fish population is threatened by pollution.
Scientists are studying the genetic diversity within the population of penguins.
The isolated population of pandas requires special conservation efforts.
How It's Used
"The deer population in the forest has decreased due to habitat loss."
"Researchers are tracking the population of migratory birds."
Synonyms & Antonyms
From Latin *populatio* 'a peopling, a laying waste', from *populus* 'people'.
The term 'population' has been used since the 15th century, initially referring to the act of populating or inhabiting a place. The modern sense of the total number of inhabitants became common in the 18th century.
Memory tip
Think of 'people' and the place they live - population.
Word Origin
"people"