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Population: meaning, definitions and examples

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population

 

[ˌpɒp.jʊˈleɪ.ʃən ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

worldwide statistics

The total number of people living in a particular area or country. It is often used to refer to the number of inhabitants in a specific region or the entire world.

Synonyms

citizens, inhabitants, residents.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
population

Used when referring to the total number of people living in a specific area, like a city, country, or the world.

  • The population of the city has grown significantly in the last decade.
  • Scientists are studying the global population to understand demographic changes.
inhabitants

Used when referring to people who live in a specific place, often used in a formal or scientific context.

  • The island has around 5,000 inhabitants.
  • Researchers are studying the ancient inhabitants of the region.
residents

Used when referring to people who live in a particular place, such as a neighborhood or building, often used in a more specific or localized context.

  • The apartment building houses fifty residents.
  • Residents of the neighborhood are concerned about the new construction project.
citizens

Used when referring to people who legally belong to a particular country and have rights and responsibilities there.

  • As citizens, we must vote to have our voices heard.
  • The government is working to protect the rights of its citizens.

Examples of usage

  • The population of China is over 1.4 billion.
  • The global population is projected to reach 8 billion by 2025.
Context #2 | Noun

biology

The number of organisms of the same species that live in a particular area and interact with one another.

Synonyms

colony, community, group.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
population

Refer to the total number of people or animals living in a specific area. This term is often used in demographic studies or statistics.

  • The population of the city has grown rapidly over the past decade
  • Scientists are studying the population dynamics of the endangered species
community

Denote a group of people living in the same area or having a particular characteristic in common. Also used to describe a social unit or group sharing common interests.

  • The local community came together to clean the park
  • The online gaming community has grown significantly over the past year
group

Indicate any collection of individuals or items that are gathered or belong together. This word is versatile and can refer to both people and objects.

  • A group of friends went on a hiking trip
  • The teacher divided the class into small groups for the project
colony

Describe a group of the same type that lives and grows together, especially referring to animals or microorganisms. Often used in biology.

  • A colony of ants built a nest in the garden
  • The researchers observed a colony of bacteria growing in the petri dish

Examples of usage

  • The population of deer in the forest has been steadily increasing.
  • The decline in the bee population is a cause for concern.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'populatio', which means 'a people or a population'.
  • In early English, it referred broadly to groups of people, which evolved into its modern meaning.

Demographics

  • Populations can be studied by age, gender, education, and occupation to understand social dynamics.
  • The world population is currently over 8 billion, growing significantly each year, affecting resources and policy.

Science

  • Ecologists study population dynamics to understand how species interact with their environments.
  • Population genetics examines how genes are distributed within populations, illuminating evolution.

Culture

  • Urban areas often have higher populations due to job opportunities, leading to diverse cultures.
  • Changes in population can influence language use, traditions, and social structures in a community.

History

  • Mass migrations throughout history, like the Great Migration in the United States, reshaped population distributions.
  • During the 14th century, Europe experienced significant population change due to the Black Death, drastically reducing numbers.

Translations

Translations of the word "population" in other languages:

🇵🇹 população

🇮🇳 जनसंख्या

🇩🇪 Bevölkerung

🇮🇩 populasi

🇺🇦 населення

🇵🇱 populacja

🇯🇵 人口

🇫🇷 population

🇪🇸 población

🇹🇷 nüfus

🇰🇷 인구

🇸🇦 سكان

🇨🇿 populace

🇸🇰 populácia

🇨🇳 人口

🇸🇮 prebivalstvo

🇮🇸 íbúar

🇰🇿 халық

🇬🇪 მოსახლეობა

🇦🇿 əhali

🇲🇽 población

Word Frequency Rank

With position #446, this word is vital for basic English fluency. It appears very frequently in everyday language and should be among the first words you learn and actively use.