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Depopulated: meaning, definitions and examples

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depopulated

 

[ ˌdiːˈpɒpjʊleɪtɪd ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

population decrease

Depopulated refers to the process of a significant reduction in the number of people living in a particular area or region. This can occur due to various reasons such as war, famine, disease, or emigration. When an area is depopulated, it often leads to social and economic challenges, including an aging population, decreased labor force, and abandoned properties. The term is frequently used in discussions about urban decline or areas substantially affected by human conflict.

Synonyms

contracted, diminished, reduced, thinned

Examples of usage

  • The war depopulated many towns in the region.
  • Nature depopulated the area after the earthquake.
  • Economic hardships have depopulated rural communities.
  • She studied how industrialization depopulated the countryside.

Translations

Translations of the word "depopulated" in other languages:

🇵🇹 despopulado

🇮🇳 जनसंख्या रहित

🇩🇪 entvölkert

🇮🇩 sepi

🇺🇦 випустошений

🇵🇱 wyludniony

🇯🇵 人口が減少した

🇫🇷 dépeuplé

🇪🇸 despoblado

🇹🇷 sahipsiz

🇰🇷 인구가 줄어든

🇸🇦 مُهجَر

🇨🇿 vylidněný

🇸🇰 vyludnený

🇨🇳 人口稀少的

🇸🇮 prazno

🇮🇸 folksnauðsyn

🇰🇿 тұрғынсыз

🇬🇪 ცხოვრებისგან დაცლილი

🇦🇿 boşaldılmış

🇲🇽 despoblado

Word origin

The term 'depopulate' originates from the Latin root 'populus', meaning 'people'. The prefix 'de-' indicates removal or reduction. The word has evolved in English usage, with its first recorded use in the late 19th century to describe areas that have experienced a significant loss of inhabitants, usually as a result of external factors such as natural disasters, economic shifts, or social upheaval. The concept has remained relevant as demographic studies analyze patterns of migration, urbanization, and population dynamics within different regions. Over time, 'depopulate' has been used in various contexts, including discussions around urban planning, environmental studies, and even fictional narratives portraying post-apocalyptic scenarios where cities and towns are left barren.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,126, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.