census

cen·sus | \ 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 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

Other Words from census Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about census

Keep scrolling for more

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 Last June, the chief justice sided with liberals in striking down the Trump administration's effort to include a question on citizenship in the 2020 census. — Richard Wolf, USA TODAY, "Aligning with liberals on DACA and LGBTQ rights, Chief Justice John Roberts asserts his independence," 20 June 2020 Antibody tests were positive for about 6 percent of the census tract residents. — Gregory Barber, Wired, "Shelter In Place Works—If You Can Afford to Stay Home," 19 June 2020 Last year, the court forced the administration to back off a citizenship question on the 2020 census. — Mark Sherman, Houston Chronicle, "Court rejects Trump bid to end DACA program for young immigrants," 18 June 2020 Last year, the court forced the administration to back off a citizenship question on the 2020 census. — Mark Sherman, The Christian Science Monitor, "Supreme Court rejects Trump's promise to end DACA," 18 June 2020 Last year, the court forced the administration to back off a citizenship question on the 2020 census. — Mark Sherman, Anchorage Daily News, "Supreme Court rejects Trump’s attempt to end DACA, a win for immigrants brought to US as children," 18 June 2020 With this decision, Justice Roberts has extended his ruling on the census, demanding executive candor regarding DACA as well. — Morgan Marietta, The Conversation, "Supreme Court ruling on Dreamers sends a clear message to the White House: You have to tell the truth," 18 June 2020 This comes as state legislatures are set to play a major role in redistricting following the 2020 census. — Caitlin Conant, CBS News, "2020 Daily Trail Markers: Joe Biden and ActBlue rake in big money in May," 15 June 2020 Wisconsin lost a congressional seat after the 2000 census, dropping from nine to eight. — Meg Jones, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Three Wisconsin counties lead nation in filling out census forms," 15 June 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'census.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about census

Dictionary Entries near census

Statistics for census

Last Updated

24 Jun 2020

Cite this Entry

“Census.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/census. Accessed 3 Jul. 2020.

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for census

census

noun

English Language Learners Definition of census

: the official process of counting the number of people in a country, city, or town and collecting information about them

See the full definition for census in the English Language Learners Dictionary

census

noun

cen·sus | \ ˈsen-səs

\

Kids Definition of census

: a count of the number of people in a country, city, or town

census

noun

cen·sus

Legal Definition of census

: 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)

Keep scrolling for more