repopulate

verb

re·​pop·​u·​late (ˌ)rē-ˈpä-pyə-ˌlāt How to pronounce repopulate (audio)
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 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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
His fixation on birth rates and repopulating the planet, maybe, the publication highlighted. Alena Botros, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2024 Fisherwomen and men in Honduras are taking it upon themselves to help repopulate a critical swamp area affected by erosion. Russell Contreras, Axios, 15 Oct. 2024 Then, 50,000 years later, Atlantic waters began to pour in again, bringing almost 2700 species that repopulated the sea. science.org, 25 Sep. 2024 Eun wanted to mate with Ash to repopulate the world while Hanna was tasked with killing Carol. Charlie Mason, TVLine, 6 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for repopulate 

Word History

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of repopulate was in 1588

Dictionary Entries Near repopulate

Cite this Entry

“Repopulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/repopulate. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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