census

cen·sus

noun \ˈsen(t)-səs\

Definition of CENSUS

1

: a count of the population and a property evaluation in early Rome

2

: a usually complete enumeration of a population; specifically : a periodic governmental enumeration of population

3

: count, tally

— census transitive verb

Examples of CENSUS

1. According to the latest census, the racial makeup of the town has changed dramatically in the last 50 years.
2. <a thorough census of all the grizzly bears living within the national park>

Origin of CENSUS

Latin, from censēre

First Known Use: 1634

Related to CENSUS

Synonyms

count, tale, tally

Related Words

score; amount, gross, sum, total, whole; recount

Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms

abscissa, denominator, divisor, equilateral, exponent, hypotenuse, logarithm, oblique, radii, rhomb

census

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Enumeration of people, houses, firms, or other important items in a country or region at a particular time. The first U.S. population census was taken in 1790 to establish a basis for representation in Congress. Censuses were taken in England, France, and Canada in 1801, 1836, and 1871, respectively. China was the last major country to report a census, in 1953. Census information is obtained by using a fixed questionnaire covering such topics as place of residence, sex, age, marital status, occupation, citizenship, language, ethnicity, religious affiliation, and education. From the responses demographers derive data on population distribution, household and family composition, internal migration, labor-force participation, and other topics. See also demography.