Depopulate (verb)

1. To reduce the population of a certain area or place.
2. To cause a decrease in the number of people living in an area or place.

Origin:

From the latin words "de" meaning "away" and "populus" meaning "people".

Examples:

1. The town's main industry closed, leading to the depopulation of the area.
2. The war led to the depopulation of many villages and towns.
3. The government's policies aimed to depopulate the overpopulated inner city areas.
4. The spread of disease depopulated the area.
5. The natural disaster led to the depopulation of the island.