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

The House met during the first week of December and passed, in a 57-41 vote, a bill that would’ve allowed for mid-census redistricting and a new Congressional map. —Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 5 Jan. 2026

The most recent census counted 317 residents. —Arkansas Online, 1 Jan. 2026

Of the nine counties with median incomes over $100,000, Douglas County was the only one to grow by more than 4,000 people since the 2020 census. —Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 31 Dec. 2025

By contrast, California’s largest county of Los Angeles reported losses, according to the census data. —Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 28 Dec. 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

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)