verb
depopulate
Depopulate (verb) means to greatly reduce the number of people living in an area, for example through war, disease or forced removal.
verb
1
To greatly reduce the number of people living in an area, for example through war, disease or forced removal.
"The agricultural modernization of the 1950s and 1960s, the migration of the sons and daughters of peasants to the cities, had been steadily depleting and depopulating the French countryside."
— Tony Judt (2005)
2
(electronics) To take the parts off a circuit board.
3
To lose most or all of its people.
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Etymology
First attested in 1531; borrowed from Latin dēpopulātus, perfect active participle of dēpopulor (see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and -ate (adjective-forming suffix)). Compare depeople, French dépeupler, Italian spopolare, Spanish despoblar, Portuguese despovoar and Romanian despopora; by surface analysis, de- + populate. Participial usage of the adjective up until Early Modern English.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for depopulate
See all rhymes for depopulate →Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of depopulate?
"depopulate" (verb) means to greatly reduce the number of people living in an area, for example through war, disease or forced removal.
What is another word for depopulate?
Other words for "depopulate" include desolate.
What is the opposite of depopulate?
The opposite of "depopulate" is populate.
What are the different meanings of depopulate?
"depopulate" has 3 main meanings: 1. To greatly reduce the number of people living in an area, for example through war, disease or forced removal; 2. (electronics) To take the parts off a circuit board; 3. To lose most or all of its people.
