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

The unanimous decision means Missouri will use its previous congressional map, drawn after the 2020 census, for the 2026 midterm elections. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 3 Sep. 2026

Congressional districts typically are redrawn at the start of each decade, based on new census data. — ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026

Biggs, the Butte County town about 62 miles north of Sacramento, had a population of 1,964 residents in the 2020 census. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Proposals for major changes to the 2030 census may also be on their way, the administration has signaled. — Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, 31 Aug. 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)