populate
verb (used with object)
to inhabit; live in; be the inhabitants of.
had populated
-
past perfectof populate.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Concerns were raised with the authorities when genuine tea growers caught wind that Robinson had populated the Balmoral Hotel's Palm Court luxury tea menu with Scottish brands.
From BBC ● Jun. 25, 2025
The ads from numerous brands and organizations, appearing under the “promoted tweets” section of Twitter, had populated on pages for Anglin and Casey.
From Washington Post ● Dec. 6, 2022
Within just a few centuries, they had populated most of the Pacific Ocean’s far-flung islands.
From Science Magazine ● Sep. 22, 2021
"One Day at a Time" was a departure from many of the family sitcoms that had populated American television since the 1950s.
From Reuters ● Jan. 7, 2016
Our large towns are the creation of the capitalist, much more than if he had populated their depressing streets with his own children.
From Outspoken Essays by William Ralph Inge
