overpopulation

noun

over·​pop·​u·​la·​tion ˌō-vər-ˌpä-pyə-ˈlā-shən 

: the condition of having a population so dense as to cause environmental deterioration, an impaired quality of life, or a population crash

Examples of overpopulation in a Sentence

He is studying the problem of deer overpopulation.

Recent Examples on the Web

Spaying and neutering pets helps reduce overpopulation, prevent certain cancers and improve the pets’ overall health and behavior, officials said. —Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 12 Feb. 2025

The organization notes that community cats account for approximately 80 percent of all kittens born in the U.S. each year, contributing to the overpopulation problem. —Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025

Other demographic experts warned around the same time that rapid overpopulation could lead to catastrophic outcomes and threaten humanity’s future. —Dylan Scott, Vox, 5 Feb. 2025

Design a sustainable, technologically advanced city that addresses climate change, overpopulation, and resource scarcity. —Ina Fried, Axios, 31 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1802, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for overpopulation

• acclimatisation
• acclimatization
• acidification
• actualization
• annualization
• autocorrelation
• autoregulation
• beatification
• beneficiation
• biodegradation
• biotransformation
• bureaucratization

Kids Definition

overpopulation

noun

over·​pop·​u·​la·​tion -ˌpäp-yə-ˈlā-shən 

: the condition of having too many people living in a certain area

Medical Definition

overpopulation

noun

over·​pop·​u·​la·​tion ˌō-vər-ˌpäp-yə-ˈlā-shən 

: the condition of having a population so dense as to cause environmental deterioration, an impaired quality of life, or a population crash

overpopulated

-ˈpäp-yə-ˌlāt-əd 

adjective