population

USAGE SUMMARY

"population" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used as a noun to refer to the total number of people or organisms inhabiting an area or country. For example: The population of India is estimated to increase by more than 10 million in 2021.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The population is shrinking.

The Economist

"To hold it in a context where some basic fundamental rights are markedly absent, indeed, denied to the population, is to commit a travesty".

The New York Times

For a European island outpost with a population of just 330,000, it was a fairly heroic achievement from which they hope to progress by qualifying for Euro 2016.

The Guardian - Sport

BME people constitute one in seven of the UK population, yet they represent more than one in three of those accepted as statutorily homeless.

The Guardian

In the following year the town's population of about 4,000 dropped by nearly half, and as businesses and supermarkets closed, Qantas cut its services, and houses were left empty, the exodus began to take a toll on the mental health of those who stayed behind.

The Guardian

In total, 258,000 workers – about 25% of Qatar's migrant labourer population – will be housed, officials said.

The Guardian

· Secondary education was reduced in Turkmenistan by one year, prompting human rights groups to complain of a deliberate attempt to dumb down the population to prevent dissent.

The Guardian

Welcome to Uzbekistan, a country bigger than Germany, with a population of 31 million, where Islam Karimov is now embarking on a fourth term of office, even though the constitution stipulates a two-term maximum for heads of state.

The Guardian

Family planning officials will make home visits and offer counselling and financial advice in a dramatic shift away from the 30-year priority of simply keeping the population down.

The Guardian

In the audience was the "candy bomber" Gail Halvorsen, now 92, who, as an American airforce pilot, dropped sweets to children during the 1948-49 Berlin airlift, which kept the city's population alive during the Soviet blockade and which became the strongest symbol of US-German friendship.

The Guardian

The guiding principle to the division process was two-thirds to the Czech Republic, one third to Slovakia, based on the proportion of territory to population.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "population", specify the geographic or political boundary to which you are referring to ensure clarity (e.g., "the population of Canada", "the global population").

Common error

Avoid using "population" when you mean "populous". "Population" refers to the number of inhabitants, while "populous" means having a large population. For example, say "China is a populous country" not "China is a population country".

Linguistic Context

The noun "population" primarily functions as a countable noun when referring to a specific group of people or organisms. Ludwig AI affirms this usage, providing numerous examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "population" is a very common noun with a wide range of applications, primarily used to refer to the number of people living in a specific area, or a group of organisms. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct, and it finds frequent use across various contexts, most notably in News & Media, science and formal business settings.

When using "population", it's important to be clear about the specific group you are referring to. Avoid confusing it with "populous", which describes a place with a large number of inhabitants. Alternatives include "number of "inhabitants"", "residents", and "community members", offering ways to specify or emphasize different aspects of a group of people.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

number of inhabitants

Focuses on the count of people living in a specific area.

inhabitants

Simply refers to those who live in a specific place.

body of residents

Emphasizes the collective group of people residing in a particular place.

community members

Highlights the social aspect of individuals living together.

the public

Refers to people in general, especially in the context of social or political matters.

the populace

A general term for the inhabitants of a place, often used in a historical or literary context.

the citizenry

Refers to the people of a town or country, especially in the context of their rights and duties.

demographic group

Highlights a specific segment of the population based on shared characteristics.

the rank and file

Refers to the ordinary members of an organization or society.

living souls

Emphasizes the living aspect of a group of people.

FAQs

How do you use "population" in a sentence?

You can use "population" to refer to the total number of people living in a specific area or to describe a group of organisms. For example: "The city's "population" has grown significantly in recent years."

What is the difference between "population" and "community"?

"Population" refers to the total number of individuals in a specific area, while "community" implies a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common, with a sense of belonging or shared identity.

What can I say instead of "population"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "number of "inhabitants"", "residents", or "community members".

Is it correct to say "population explosion"?

Yes, "population explosion" is a common term used to describe a rapid and dramatic increase in the number of people in a specific area.