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

South Africa’s 2022 census missed nearly a third of the population, according to the statistics department’s own follow-up survey. — Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 5 Oct. 2026

New census data over the past week showed Japan’s population shrank more quickly than in the prior tally. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2026

Meisel said census and market data show that nearly 17% of Ballantyne residents were born in the Northeast, so shoppers are familiar with the brand. — Charlotte Observer, 3 Oct. 2026

Toronto’s status as a census metropolitan area means that its homes are subject to Canada’s ban on most foreign buyers, which has been extended until 2027. — Michael Kaminer, New York Times, 2 Oct. 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)