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 quiet coastal village rests along the Alentejo Coast and is home to nearly 1,500 year-round residents, as of the 2021 census. — Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 24 July 2026

Haiti’s last census Haiti’s last nationwide census was conducted in 2003, and the country’s demographics have undergone dramatic shifts since. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026

In 2025, Texas redistricted in preparation for the upcoming 2026 midterms, not because of new census data, but solely to give the Republican party an advantage. — Reese Ritter, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

Looking solely at the city of Charlotte, 20,731 people became residents between July 2024 to July 2025, according to census data. — Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 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)