population explosion

American  

noun

1. the rapid increase in numbers of a particular species, especially in the world's human population since the end of World War II, attributed to an accelerating birthrate, a decrease in infant mortality, and an increase in life expectancy.

---

population explosion British  

noun

1. a rapid increase in the size of a population caused by such factors as a sudden decline in infant mortality or an increase in life expectancy

---

Etymology

Origin of population explosion

An Americanism dating back to 1950–55

Example Sentences

Intensive dairy ranching began here more than 150 years ago, spawned by the Gold Rush population explosion in San Francisco.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2025

With the expansion of the area’s wetlands in 2021, it saw a population explosion.

From Science Magazine • Nov. 21, 2023

Authorities have tried various approaches to curb the population explosion in Colombia's main river, the Magdalena, including sterilisation and transferring individuals to zoos abroad.

From BBC • Nov. 3, 2023

Beasley attributes the population explosion to a few explanations, including humans illegally moving wild pigs to the areas where hunting them is legal year-round, as well as to warmer climates in recent decades.

From Science Daily • Oct. 10, 2023

The population of Nzara had grown in recent years—the town had experienced, in its own way, the human population explosion that is occurring throughout the equatorial regions of the earth.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston