census

noun

cen·​sus ˈsen(t)-səs 

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

According to the latest U.S census, 16% of the population is of Hispanic or Latino origin.

3

: count, tally

a census of deer in a game refuge

census transitive verb

Synonyms

• count
• tally

Examples of census in a Sentence

According to the latest census, the racial makeup of the town has changed dramatically in the last 50 years.

a thorough census of all the grizzly bears living within the national park

Recent Examples on the Web

Gardin was intuitively interested in class, and undertook census-like studies, along the lines of August Sander’s taxonomy of social types, of Italians from all parts of society at work and in their homes. —Max Norman, New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2025

The report taps dozens of data sources, including the census, Bureau of Labor Statistics and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. —Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025

Even if the state returns power to the independent redistricting commission in 2030 (don’t bet on it), the commission would be tasked with drawing entirely new maps to align with the next census. —Jon Coupal, Oc Register, 31 Aug. 2025

Most of those heavily Latino census tracts are concentrated in Southeast Nashville, and that night THP didn’t venture far beyond that sector. —Liam Adams, The Tennessean, 29 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin cēnsus, from cēnsēre "to give as an opinion, assess, appraise, perform the duties of a censor" + -tus, suffix of verbal action — more at censor entry 1

First Known Use

1634, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing census

• census clause

Rhymes for census

• amanuensis
• melitensis
• consensus

Kids Definition

census

noun

cen·​sus ˈsen(t)-səs 

: a counting of the population (as of a country, city, or town) and a gathering of related statistics done by a government every so often

Legal Definition

census

noun

cen·​sus

: a usually complete count of a population (as of a state)

especially : a periodic governmental count of a population that usually includes social and economic information (as occupations, ages, and incomes)