repopulate

verb

re·​pop·​u·​late (ˌ)rē-ˈpä-pyə-ˌlāt 

repopulated; repopulating

transitive verb

: to populate (something) again

As cougars repopulate much of their former range, however, they are also encountering humans more frequently.

—William K. Stevens

… captive breeding programs are helping to repopulate endangered species.

—Mike Capuzzo

In modern times it was depopulated when distant city jobs attracted its people, then repopulated by city people.

—Jane Jacobs

Any new bone-marrow cells can survive and repopulate the recipient's defense apparatus provided the markers on the cell surfaces are the same as those of the donor.

—Lewis Thomas

repopulation

(ˌ)rē-ˌpä-pyə-ˈlā-shən 

noun

The first step is the repopulation of buffalo, the Plains' signature animal.

—Edmunds V. Bunkse

… even high total doses of radiation … may not be effective in controlling tumors capable of accelerated repopulation, since the rate of cell division may outpace that of cell loss stemming from treatment.

—Allen S. Lichter et al.

Examples of repopulate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Scientists found that the shallow-water conchs did not fully develop their reproductive organs, leaving them unable to repopulate the area. —Alexa Robles-Gil, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Sep. 2024

In addition, the process of repopulating the North Cascades is long and complicated. —Devika Rao, theweek, 27 June 2024

In an optimistic future, southern koalas could repopulate the species’ northern range, just as French Island koalas helped repopulate the south—a possibility that some researchers are already planning for. —Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 17 June 2024

A number of encampments cleared by Inside Safe have simply repopulated, forcing multiple visits by outreach workers. —Liam Dillon, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined above