census

noun

cen·​sus ˈsen(t)-səs How to pronounce census (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 See All Example Sentences for census

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of census was in 1634

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Census.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/census. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

census

noun
cen·​sus ˈsen(t)-səs How to pronounce census (audio)
: 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)

More from Merriam-Webster on census

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