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, 9 Apr. 2026

The new maps would be used through 2030, after which the state would return to a system in which a bipartisan commission draws House districts after the decennial census. —Russell Berman, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2026

By design, redistricting is intended to happen once every 10 years following the federal census. —Kathy Schmitz, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2026

That number has since dropped to just under 10,000, according to the latest census in 2016. —Michael Rios, CNN Money, 7 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)