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

The dirt mounds became islands where Higgins saw many animals taking refuge, and the survivors of the flood are now repopulating the site. —Mark Degraff, The Mercury News, 14 Dec. 2024

When water comes back to saline lakes, the brine flies can repopulate quickly. —Daniel Rothberg, Vox, 1 Oct. 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined above