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Definition of populate

populate

/ˈpɑː.pjə.leɪt/
pop · u · late
Adjective:populated
•
Past Simple:populated
•
Past Participle:populated
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Present Participle:populating
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populate Lexical Profile

populate Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To live in, occupy, or make up the population of a particular area, place, or environment.

Example

"The fertile river valley was populated by farming communities for thousands of years."

2

To fill or supply a digital form, document, database, or list with data or items (especially in computing).

Example

"The software automatically populates the spreadsheet with the latest financial figures."

3

To cause people or animals to settle in or inhabit a place.

Example

"Conservationists worked to populate the protected reserve with endangered native birds."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for populate

• Nearby Words

popularize
popularizer
popularly
populate
population
populism
populist

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late 16th century from Medieval Latin populatus, the past participle of populare ('to inhabit, people'), derived from Classical Latin populus ('a people, nation').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Populate. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/populate
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