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, 16% of the population is of Hispanic or Latino origin.

3

: count, tally

a census of deer in a game refuge

census transitive verb

Synonyms

• 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

Both redistrictings are occurring mid-decade, when census data is years old. —Rachel Royster july 14, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 July 2025

North Kansas City’s total population has grown by more than 26% since 2020, according to 2024 census data and is home to one of the most diverse school districts in the state. —Alecia Taylor july 11, Kansas City Star, 11 July 2025

More than a half-million dwelling units were built in the L.A. metro area from 1940 to 1950, according to the U.S. census, most of them after the war. —James Rainey follow, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025

Both communities qualified for ARPA’s eligibility criteria based on low-income census tracts calculated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Durckel said. —Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2025

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

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)