population

Universal Words noun 1 [C+sing./pl.v.,U] all the people who live in a particular area, city or country; the total number of people who live there: One third of the world's population consumes / consume two thirds of the world's resources. * The entire population of the town was at the meeting. * countries with ageing populations * Muslims make up 55% of the population. * an increase in population * areas of dense / sparse population (= where many / not many people live) * The population is increasing at about 6% per year. * Nigeria has a population of nearly 100 million. * to control population growth * population density 2 [C+sing./pl.v.] a particular group of people or animals living in a particular area: the adult / working / rural population of the country * The prison population (= the number of people in prison) is continuing to rise. * Oil spillages are disastrous for fish populations.