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

Typically, agencies adopt recommendations from independent advisory committees on issues including vaccine schedules, environmental standards, or census methodology. —Katia Riddle, NPR, 3 June 2026

Laesch said later in the year that the city would be submitting for a partial census recount looking just at new construction, rather than trying to recount areas officials believed were previously undercounted. —R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2026

Statewide census data show whites make up about 66 percent of state residents, with Black residents at roughly 12 percent. —Krystal Johnson, Hartford Courant, 17 May 2026

The latest census data shows nearly every municipality in Clay and Platte counties has grown in population since 2020, some by only 1%, while others increased by upwards of 14%. —Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 17 May 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)