populate

verb

pop·​u·​late ˈpä-pyə-ˌlāt 

populated; populating

transitive verb

1

: to have a place in : occupy, inhabit

2

a

: to furnish or provide with inhabitants : people

b

: to provide with members

Synonyms

• colonize
• people
• settle

Examples of populate in a Sentence

Immigrants began to populate the area in the late 19th century.

Strange creatures populate the ocean depths.

Recent Examples on the Web

This includes a breathtaking display of 2 million lights, opportunities for meet-and-greets with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and encounters with a dozen characters and elves who populate Santa's expansive 8,500 sq. ft. workshop. —Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman, 17 Dec. 2024

The universe was populated by Spider-Man’s villains and allies, but not the web-slinger himself. —Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024

In many poor and densely populated neighborhoods across the country, people have access to free, unmetered electricity. —Nasser Karimi and Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024

Here it has been chopped to a hectic, highlights-only hundred and twenty minutes, and populated with an ensemble of recent graduates from RADA. —Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 11 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin populātus, past participle of populāre "to provide with inhabitants,", derivative of Latin populus people entry 1

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

populate

verb

pop·​u·​late ˈpäp-yə-ˌlāt 

populated; populating

1

: to have a place in : occupy, inhabit

2

: to provide with inhabitants : people