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
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 
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.
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
Dictionary Entries Near overpopulation
Cite this Entry
“Overpopulation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overpopulation. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share