populous
adjective
pop·u·lous
ˈpä-pyə-ləs 
1
a
: densely populated
b
: having a large population
2
a
: numerous
b
: filled to capacity
populously
adverb
populousness
noun
Did you know?
With a metropolitan area of more than 20 million people, Mexico City could be called the world's second or third most populous city. And the nearby Aztec city of Tenochtitlán was one of the largest cities in the world even when Hernán Cortés arrived there in 1519. But by the time Cortés conquered the city in 1521 it wasn't nearly so populous, since European diseases had greatly reduced the population. Avoid confusing populous and populace, which are pronounced exactly the same.
Examples of populous in a Sentence
the most populous state in the U.S.
Recent Examples on the Web
The 24-acre property just east of Interstate 805 is one of three large pieces of underused land that the region’s two most populous cities have agreed to swap when the right opportunity arises.
—
David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025
The peak is clearly visible from Anchorage, the state’s most populous city, and a significant eruption could severely disrupt air traffic.
—Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2025
And Ontario, Canada's most populous province, added a 25% surcharge to all electricity exports sent to the U.S. as part of that nation's response to the White House's tariffs on Canadian products.
—Kate Gibson, CBS News, 11 Mar. 2025
The gateway, one of four commercial airports serving Brazil’s most populous city, has been operated by Spain’s Aena since late 2023 following a privatization process that concluded in 2022.
—Kevin Rozario, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
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David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025
The peak is clearly visible from Anchorage, the state’s most populous city, and a significant eruption could severely disrupt air traffic.
—Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2025
And Ontario, Canada's most populous province, added a 25% surcharge to all electricity exports sent to the U.S. as part of that nation's response to the White House's tariffs on Canadian products.
—Kate Gibson, CBS News, 11 Mar. 2025
The gateway, one of four commercial airports serving Brazil’s most populous city, has been operated by Spain’s Aena since late 2023 following a privatization process that concluded in 2022.
—Kevin Rozario, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for populous
Cite this Entry
“Populous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/populous. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
populous
adjective
pop·u·lous
ˈpäp-yə-ləs
: having a large population
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