populate
verb (used with object)
to inhabit; live in; be the inhabitants of.
populated
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past participleof populate.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
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past tense formof populate.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
populateverb (used with object)to inhabit; live in; be the inhabitants of.
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.
For spring 2027, you created this fantastical garden populated by insects, beginning with a chrysalis and ending with the emergence of butterflies.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026
Md Yunus Ali, 80, whose home is a 15-minute walk from the plant, said opposition to building a nuclear facility in the densely populated area dates back decades.
From Barron's ● Oct. 7, 2026
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology said the phenomenon was caused by "severe" thunderstorms and that it was "very uncommon to see one in such a populated place".
From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2026
Dutch Bros is now considering opening similar walk-up shops in other densely populated areas, Guenser said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026
I looked around to realize that the school had become populated while I’d been sitting there, absentminded.
From "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer
