population
gb/pˌɑpjəlˈeɪʃən/ us/pˌɑpjəlˈeɪʃən/
A2
English
~ 700
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
quantity
1
Number of people in an area
The number of people who live in a place.
Usage pattern:
the population of [a place]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'population' with 'populace'. 'Population' refers to the total count or group, while 'populace' refers to the people as individuals.
Synonyms
inhabitants (Refers to the people living in a place, often used in a slightly more formal or literary context.)
|
residents (Emphasizes individuals who live in a place, often smaller scale than 'population'.)
Antonyms
desertion (Refers to the act of leaving a place empty of people, opposite of having a population.)
|
depopulation (The process of reducing the number of people in an area.)
Collocations
growing population
|urban population
|world population
|population growth
|population density
Themes
demographics
|geography
|society
|core_vocabulary
|politics
Examples
- The population of the city has doubled in the last 20 years.
- China has the largest population in the world.
- The island's population is around 3,000 people.
- Population growth is putting pressure on local resources.
Learner examples
- The population of my town is small.
- India has a big population.
- The population here is growing fast.
- We learned about the population of Africa in class.
Noun
technical
B1
entity
2
Group of same-species organisms
A group of animals, plants, or people of the same kind living in one place.
Usage pattern:
a population of [species] in [place]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'population' with 'community' in biology; 'population' refers to one species, 'community' refers to multiple species together.
Synonyms
colony (Used for certain animals or plants living together, but not always interchangeable with 'population'.)
Antonyms
extinction (When no individuals of a species remain.)
Collocations
wildlife population
|fish population
|bird population
|endangered population
Themes
biology
|ecology
|science
|nature
Examples
- The deer population in this park is increasing.
- Scientists are studying the penguin population in Antarctica.
- Overfishing has reduced the fish population in the lake.
Learner examples
- The tiger population is getting smaller.
- We counted the bird population in the forest.
- The fish population is low this year.
Noun
B1
entity
3
All people of a country/group
All the people who live in a country or belong to one group.
Usage pattern:
the population of [country/group]
Synonyms
citizenry (More formal term for all citizens of a state.)
Antonyms
minority (A smaller part of a total group, opposite to referring to all.)
Collocations
general population
|civilian population
|student population
Themes
society
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The government must consider the needs of the entire population.
- Half of the population voted for the new law.
- The student population at this university is very diverse.
Learner examples
- The population wants better schools.
- Our city has a young population.
- The student population is big.
Grammar
Dictionary form
population
IPA
GB/pˌɑpjəlˈeɪʃən/
US/pˌɑpjəlˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
pop - u - la - tion (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (la)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: population
- Plural: population, populations
Word family
Forms
populations
noun
Core family
populate
verb B2
populated
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
unpopulated
adjective
depopulate
verb
depopulation
noun
Advanced or less common
Expressions
overpopulation
1/ˌoʊvɚpˌɑpjəlˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
Too many people for resources
When there are more people than an area can support with food, water, and space.
Examples
- Overpopulation is causing environmental problems.
- The city is facing issues due to overpopulation.
population growth
1/pˌɑpjəlˈeɪʃən ɡɹˈoʊθ/
fixed phrase
Increase in number of people
When the number of people in a place becomes bigger over time.
Examples
- Population growth has slowed in many developed countries.
- Rapid population growth can strain natural resources.
population density
1/pˌɑpjəlˈeɪʃən dˈɛnsɪti/
fixed phrase
people per unit area
How many people live in a certain area.
Examples
- Tokyo has one of the highest population densities in the world.
- Population density is lower in rural areas than in cities.
population density
2/pˌɑpjəlˈeɪʃən dˈɛnsɪti/
fixed phrase
technical
Number of people per area unit
How many people live in a certain size area, like per square kilometer.
Examples
- Tokyo has one of the highest population densities in the world.
- Population density affects housing prices.