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, 20% of the population is of Hispanic or Latino origin.

3

: count, tally

a census of deer in a game refuge

census transitive verb

Synonyms of census

• 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

Niello, a businessman and former assemblymember, ran for the seat in 2022 after the area underwent redistricting following the 2020 census. —Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 24 Apr. 2026

No official census of southern pudus exists, but total population estimates hover around 10,000 animals. —Ryan Brennan april 24, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026

Six states redrew their congressional maps in 2025, breaking with the norms of redrawing once a decade after the release of census data, and Republicans appeared to have a higher amount of seats redrawn to benefit them. —Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026

The previous system will be put back in place after the 2030 census. —Caroline Linton, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026

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

circa 1628, 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)