The adj popular has 4 senses (first 4 from tagged texts)
1. (15) popular -- (regarded with great favor, approval, or affection especially by the general public; "a popular tourist attraction"; "a popular girl"; "cabbage patch dolls are no longer popular")
2. (9) popular -- (carried on by or for the people (or citizens) at large; "the popular vote"; "popular representation"; "institutions of popular government")
3. (5) democratic, popular -- (representing or appealing to or adapted for the benefit of the people at large; "democratic art forms"; "a democratic or popular movement"; "popular thought"; "popular science"; "popular fiction")
4. (1) popular, pop -- ((of music or art) new and of general appeal (especially among young people))