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

Christians are believed to comprise about 30% of the Lebanese population, although there has not been a precise figure since the last census, under French rule in 1932. —NPR, 1 Dec. 2025

In those districts ― the 1st Congressional District in northwest Indiana and the 7th Congressional District in Indianapolis ― the current congressional map passed in 2021 after the last census gives Democrats a 78% and 99% chance of winning, respectively. —Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 1 Dec. 2025

Neighborhoods with significant Latino populations include parts of Metairie, Bridge City, Terrytown and Harvey, census data shows. —Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 1 Dec. 2025

More than a third of residents are 65 or older, according to the latest census. —Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Nov. 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

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)