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

These are in census tracts certified by the U.S. Treasury as low-income. —Martin Shenkman, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025

Now a new census count is planned for those experiencing homeless in Wilson County on Jan. 28. —Andy Humbles, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025

About 71% of the district's population is Black, and about 34% of residents live below the federal poverty level, according to the most recent estimates for census tracts that align with District 5. —Eleanor McCrary, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025

According to census data, between July 2023 and July 2024, Charlotte added 23,423 residents. —Sunny Hubler, Charlotte Observer, 25 June 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)