Population Meaning
Population Definition & Usage
The total number of people inhabiting a particular area or country.
Examples
- "The global population reached 8 billion in 2022."
- "China has the largest population in the world."
- "The population of New York City is over 8 million."
- "The population density of Tokyo is extremely high."
- "A decrease in the population is expected due to low birth rates."
The people, animals, or organisms that make up a particular group or community.
Examples
- "The population of endangered species is declining rapidly."
- "The human population of the planet is becoming more urbanized."
- "We are studying the population of birds in this area."
- "The coral reef population has been affected by climate change."
- "The population of mosquitoes in the area has increased significantly this summer."
A set of individuals or items used for statistical analysis, typically representing a larger group.
Examples
- "The sample population was randomly selected from the city’s residents."
- "In research studies, a population is the entire group that the sample represents."
- "Survey results were extrapolated to the population at large."
- "The study's findings are based on a population of 5,000 participants."
- "Researchers must ensure their population sample is representative of the larger community."
Cultural Context
The word 'population' originates from the Latin word 'populatio', meaning 'a people, crowd, or multitude'. It has evolved to be used in various disciplines, such as demography, ecology, and statistics.
The Population of Pinewood Valley
Story
The Population of Pinewood Valley
Pinewood Valley was a quiet, small town nestled between rolling hills and expansive farmlands. As the years passed, the population had grown steadily, from a modest 2,000 residents to a bustling 5,000. But with this growth came new challenges. Lena had grown up in the valley, and her parents had always told her that the population of Pinewood would never exceed 3,000. 'It’s a peaceful place,' they had said, 'where everyone knows each other.' But now, Lena could hardly recognize the town. The new housing developments and the growing number of cars on the roads told a different story. One afternoon, Lena met with her childhood friend, Adam, who had returned to Pinewood after years of living in the city. He was conducting a study on the local population to understand how the expansion was affecting the community. 'We’re seeing a lot of change,' Adam said as they walked through the main street, 'The population has doubled in the past decade, but the infrastructure hasn’t kept up.' Lena nodded. 'It’s hard to keep up when more and more people move in every year. The town just wasn’t built for this kind of growth.' Adam pulled out a map and pointed to various sections of the valley. 'The population density in certain parts of the town is off the charts. But it's not just about numbers. We need to look at the people, their needs, and how this growth affects the local ecosystem.' As they discussed their concerns, they noticed a group of children playing in the park, laughing and running together. Lena smiled. Despite the growing population and its challenges, the heart of Pinewood Valley remained intact—its community spirit. Later that evening, Lena attended a town hall meeting where residents voiced their opinions on the growing population. Some worried about the rise in the number of tourists and the strain on local resources, while others saw it as an opportunity for economic development. As the meeting ended, Lena couldn’t help but feel that despite the rapid growth and changing population, Pinewood would always be home—a place where everyone knew each other, no matter how many new faces showed up.
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