population - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
population Word Meanings
- the total number of people in an area
- the inhabitants of a particular place
- a group of individuals sharing a common characteristic
population Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
population Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˌpɒp.jʊˈleɪ.ʃən/
US
/ˌpɑːp.jəˈleɪ.ʃən/
population Word Etymology
populatio = populus (people) + -tion (action/state) → Latin → Old French → English; Imagine a crowd of people in a vibrant city square, each representing a part of the whole population, contributing to the lively atmosphere.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I start by turning the door handle and letting the lobby spill into the street. I move my eyes along the faces as people push and pull through the square, the scene changing with every passerby. I steady my breath, adjust my pace, and hold the sense of a whole that grows as more people fill the space. In that moment, the crowd feels like a living whole I keep in mind, a population in the making.
Real Context
Population refers to the total number of people living in a particular area, such as a city, country, or region, and can also describe the inhabitants of a place as a collective group for demographic analysis, census data, and policy planning; it may refer to size, structure, or changes over time, like growth or decline, and is often qualified by terms such as adult population or working-age population to narrow the focus.
Usage Reminders
- Remember: 1) Population is usually singular when talking about a place (the population is growing). 2) Use 'population of' with a place (the population of Tokyo). 3) Distinguish population from 'people' or 'the populace'. 4) Pair with qualifiers like 'adult population' or 'working-age population'. 5) Learn common terms: population density, population size, population growth. 6) In statistics, treat population as the group under study, not the individuals individually.
Common Misconceptions
- Many learners think population only refers to a city’s residents and ignores larger areas like a country or region.
- Population is always the same as 'people' and can be used interchangeably in all contexts.
- Population is always treated as a plural noun; in English it is typically singular ('the population is growing') and 'populations' is only used for multiple groups.
- Confusing population with 'the populace' or with crowd terminology in every context.
- Assuming population can be counted as individual items the way you count people in a list.
Thinking Differences
In English, population is a formal, countable collective noun that highlights the size and structure of a group; learners often overemphasize individuals and mix it with 'people' or 'crowd' in casual contexts.
Learning Tips
- Use 'population of' with a place (e. g., population of Tokyo).
- Differentiate population from 'people' or 'crowd' for nuance.
- Pair with qualifiers like 'adult population' or 'working-age population'.
- Remember common collocations: population density, population size, population growth.
- In statistics, treat population as the group under study, not each individual.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of the word 'population'?
A.Cars on a highway
B.People living in a specific area
C.Buildings in a city
D.Animals living in a specific area
Step 2: Usage
How is the word 'population' used in a sentence?
A.The population of India is over 1 billion
B.The population of a library is books
C.The population of a park is trees
D.The population of the ocean is fish
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is similar to 'population'?
A.Empty
B.Isolation
C.Community
D.Deserted
Step 4: Opposite Words
Which word is the opposite of 'population'?
A.Crowded
B.Wilderness
C.Neighborhood
D.Sparse
Step 5: Mastery
In what real-life context would you hear the word 'population'?
A.Weather forecast
B.Healthcare discussion about population growth
C.Sports event commentary
D.Cooking show about recipes
Related Listening
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