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
• tale
• 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 census data is vital for local planners and lawmakers, who can use the data to assess how different areas should respond in the event of a disaster. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025

By the numbers: The median age of Utahns getting married for the first time was 26 in 2023 — down slightly from 2022, but up from 24.5 in 2010, according to census data. —Erin Alberty, Axios, 30 Jan. 2025

Over 25% of Aurora’s population from 2019-2023 was also foreign-born, as compared to roughly 14% in Illinois and just over 20% in Chicago, census data shows. —R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2025

Because the population of other states grew faster than California’s prior to the 2020 census, California lost a House seat for the first time in its history. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 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

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)