overpopulation

noun

over·​pop·​u·​la·​tion ˌō-vər-ˌpä-pyə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce overpopulation (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Jail grapples with overpopulation and mental health needs Fulton County, which includes most of Atlanta, is the largest county in the state. Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 23 Aug. 2023 During his inauguration speech, Hochman repeated his campaign promises to balance criminal justice reform and public safety and called California’s overpopulation in prisons a systemic failure. Koko Nakajima, Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec. 2024 By removing cheetahs from their natural habitat, local communities are fostering overpopulation of hares and promoting overgrazing, which most likely causes erosion in the region. Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024 After decades of neglect, the BLM is starting to address overpopulations of wild horses and burros on its Western rangelands. Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 19 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for overpopulation 

Word History

First Known Use

1802, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of overpopulation was in 1802

Dictionary Entries Near overpopulation

Cite this Entry

“Overpopulation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overpopulation. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

overpopulation

noun
over·​pop·​u·​la·​tion -ˌpäp-yə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce overpopulation (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce overpopulation (audio)
: the condition of having a population so dense as to cause environmental deterioration, an impaired quality of life, or a population crash
overpopulated adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on overpopulation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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