population density

American  

[pop-yuh-lay-shuhn den-si-tee] / ˌpɒp jəˈleɪ ʃən ˌdɛn sɪ ti /

noun

• population densities
  plural

1. the number of people, or members of a particular plant or animal species, living in a specified unit of area: a measure of how crowded or spread out inhabitants are.

   At the time of this research, the city had a population density of 537 persons per square mile.

   Our free-range chickens are raised without antibiotics and in low population densities, with plenty of room to roam around.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• population densities
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of population density

First recorded in 1850–55

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

population density

West Hollywood has earned a 91 out of 100 on Walk Score’s walkability index that looks at distance to amenities, pedestrian friendliness, population density and road metrics.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 5, 2026

Much of “The Powerful Primate” concerns how ancient humanity learned to make tools and fire, allowing big increases in population density.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 20, 2026

The researchers suggest that Fiji's higher contamination levels may be linked to greater population density, extensive coastal development, and less effective waste management systems compared with neighboring islands.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 3, 2026

Economic research has shown that an expanding population produces greater consumer demand, increases the supply of labor, and can generate innovation through greater population density.

From Barron's ● Jan. 29, 2026

Not all, of course, are suitable subjects for this technique, much depending on details of the life history, population density, and reactions to radiation.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

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