Finesentence

Overpopulation Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

🌍
Save

overpopulation

over-pop-u-la-tion

🇺🇸 /ˌoʊvɝˌpɑpjəˈɫeɪʃən/ · 🇬🇧 /ˌəʊvəpˌɒpjʊlˈeɪʃən/

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

global issue

Overpopulation refers to a situation where the number of people in a specific area exceeds the capacity of the environment to support life at a decent standard of living. It can lead to various social, economic, and environmental problems.

Synonyms

excessive population, population explosion.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
overpopulation

Used to describe a situation where the number of people exceeds the capacity of an area to support them sustainably. It is often used in environmental and socio-economic discussions.

  • Overpopulation has led to increased pollution and resource depletion.
  • The government is concerned about overpopulation in urban areas.
population explosion

Refers to a rapid and dramatic increase in population, which can lead to sudden and significant challenges in managing resources and infrastructure. Usually used in historical, economic, and demographic discussions.

  • The population explosion after World War II vastly changed the global economy.
  • Countries experiencing a population explosion struggle with providing adequate services.
excessive population

Similar to overpopulation, but it might be used in a broader context to indicate that a population is too large in regard to various criteria, such as available resources or social infrastructure.

  • The excessive population in the capital is causing housing shortages.
  • An excessive population can strain public services.

Examples of usage

  • Overpopulation in urban areas has resulted in overcrowded living conditions.
  • The government is implementing policies to address the issue of overpopulation.
  • Overpopulation can strain resources such as food, water, and energy.
  • High birth rates contribute to overpopulation in certain regions.
  • Efforts to control overpopulation require a multi-faceted approach.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Quick facts about “overpopulation”

Overpopulation is a 5-syllable noun (over-pop-u-la-tion). It is pronounced /ˌoʊvɝˌpɑpjəˈɫeɪʃən/ in American English and /ˌəʊvəpˌɒpjʊlˈeɪʃən/ in British English. On finesentence.com it has 1 meaning, 2 synonyms, and translations into 21 languages. It ranks #25,997 among the most common English words.

Origin of 'overpopulation'

The concept of overpopulation has been a topic of concern for centuries, with early thinkers like Thomas Malthus discussing the potential consequences of population growth outstripping available resources. The Industrial Revolution and advancements in healthcare led to a significant increase in global population, further fueling debates on overpopulation. Today, organizations and governments work to address the challenges posed by overpopulation through sustainable development goals and family planning initiatives.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,997, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.