population explosion

noun

: a pyramiding of numbers of a biological population
especially : the recent great increase in human numbers resulting from increased survival and exponential population growth

Examples of population explosion in a Sentence

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.
Global fertility has plunged since the population explosion in the 1960s. Nicholas Eberstadt, Foreign Affairs, 10 Oct. 2024 Their numbers vary from year to year, with population explosions occurring every few years, says Owen. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 18 July 2024 Our precious national park is being drained due to housing construction and the population explosion. Letters To The Editor, Orlando Sentinel, 28 June 2024 While a catastrophic population explosion used to seem inevitable, women’s increasing levels of education and reproductive freedom have staved off some of the worst predictions of the 20th century. F.d. Flam, The Mercury News, 22 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for population explosion 

Word History

First Known Use

1903, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of population explosion was in 1903

Dictionary Entries Near population explosion

Cite this Entry

“Population explosion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/population%20explosion. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

population explosion

noun
: a pyramiding of numbers of a biological population
especially : the recent great increase in human numbers resulting from both increased survival and exponential population growth

More from Merriam-Webster on population explosion

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!