pullulate

verb

pul·lu·late | \ ˈpəl-yə-ˌlāt

pullulated; pullulating

Definition of pullulate

intransitive verb

1a : germinate, sprout

b : to breed or produce freely the country's pullulating population

2 : swarm, teem the island pullulated with tourists

Other Words from pullulate Synonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about pullulate

Keep scrolling for more

Did You Know?

To remember the history of "pullulate," think chickens. This may sound like odd advice, but it makes sense if you know that "pullulate" traces ultimately to the Latin noun pullus, which means not only "sprout," but also "young of an animal" and, specifically, "chick." "Pullus" is also an ancestor of "pullet" ("young hen"), "poult" (meaning "young fowl" and especially "young turkey"), and even "poultry" ("domesticated fowl"). At first "pullulate" referred to sprouting, budding, and breeding around the farm; only later did it gain its "swarm" sense.

Examples of pullulate in a Sentence

a tough city neighborhood that has a reputation for pullulating with prostitutes and petty criminals

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for pullulate

pullulate

intransitive verb

pul·lu·late | \ ˈpəl-yə-ˌlāt

pullulated; pullulating

Medical Definition of pullulate

1 : to bud or sprout

2 : to breed or produce freely

pullulate

Definition of pullulate

Other Words from pullulate

Synonyms for pullulate

Did You Know?

Examples of pullulate in a Sentence

First Known Use of pullulate

History and Etymology for pullulate

Medical Definition of pullulate

pullulate

Definition of pullulate

Other Words from pullulate

Synonyms for pullulate

Did You Know?

Examples of pullulate in a Sentence

First Known Use of pullulate

History and Etymology for pullulate

Medical Definition of pullulate

WORD OF THE DAY