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

There are too many census boxes at play, too many economic, racial and religious differences, places of origin. —Manuel Mendoza, Dallas Morning News, 27 Mar. 2026

Five-year and single-year growth rankings in the new census data are littered at the top with communities across the Carolinas, big and small. —John Marks, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026

The census data helps county applications for state or federal funding because population growth indicates an area’s expansion and financial needs for more infrastructure, Breitzke said. —Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026

Flight 8646 set off from Montreal in Quebec, a province where more than 84% of the population speak French as a first language, according to the 2021 census. —Patrick Smith, NBC news, 26 Mar. 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)