verb
populate
POP-yuu-layt
Populate (verb) means to live in a place and make up its inhabitants. Example: “Millions of people populate the greater Tokyo area.”
verb
1
To live in a place and make up its inhabitants.
"Millions of people populate the greater Tokyo area."
2
To fill something (a database, list, or form) with data.
"The script automatically populates the spreadsheet with last month's sales figures."
How to use populate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo fill a place with inhabitants, or to fill a system with data.
Common pairings
populate a database
densely populated
populate a form
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- populates
- Past tense
- populated
- Comparative
- more populate
- Superlative
- most populate
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Millions of people _____ the greater Tokyo area.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin populatus, past participle of populor ("to people, inhabit"), from Latin populus ("people").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for populate
See all rhymes for populate →Frequently asked questions
What does “populate” mean?
The word “populate” means to live in a place and make up its inhabitants. In plain terms, to fill a place with inhabitants, or to fill a system with data.
How do you pronounce “populate”?
“Populate” is pronounced POP-yuu-layt (/ˈpɑ.pjəˌleɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “populate” in a sentence?
Here is “populate” used in a sentence: “Millions of people populate the greater Tokyo area.”
What is the opposite of “populate”?
The opposite of “populate” — its antonyms — is depopulate.
What part of speech is “populate”?
“Populate” is a verb.
Where does the word “populate” come from?
The word “populate” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin populatus, past participle of populor ("to people, inhabit"), from Latin populus ("people").
How many meanings does “populate” have?
“Populate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to live in a place and make up its inhabitants.
