Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

overpopulate

[oh-ver-pop-yuh-leyt]
verb (used with object), o·ver·pop·u·lat·ed, o·ver·pop·u·lat·ing.
  1. to fill with an excessive number of people, straining available resources and facilities: Expanding industry has overpopulated the western suburbs.
Show More

Origin of overpopulate

First recorded in 1865–70; over- + populate
Related formso·ver·pop·u·la·tion, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Word Origin and History for over-populate

v.

also overpopulate, "to overrun with too many people," 1828 (implied in overpopulated), from over- + populate (v.). Related: Overpopulating. Over-populous "over-populated" is attested from 1670s.

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper