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

That has to do with the poverty rate — based on census data for the area the district covers, not the district’s enrollment itself — dipping below 5%. — Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

These districts are home to more than half a million people, according to recent census data. — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026

Nearly 114,600 people call Concord home, according to the latest census data, up from 105,329 people in 2020 and 79,000 people in 2010. — Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 27 Aug. 2026

The latest census data shows nearly every municipality in Clay and Platte counties has grown in population since 2020. — Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 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)