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

This year, census experts predict that number could drop as low as 300,000. — Brian Mann, NPR, 27 June 2026

Encore doesn't typically fill all its available beds with its current specialty focus, but UAMS anticipates an average daily census -- a measure of the number of patients occupying hospital beds over a specific period -- of roughly 40 by the second year of the agreement, Barnes said. — Ryan Anderson, Arkansas Online, 24 June 2026

Located in Tooele County, the town of Stockton had a population of just 621 in the 2020 census. — Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 23 June 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, 22 June 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)