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

For the first time, the Census Bureau allowed respondents to write in their families' origins on the census form, a shift that directly influenced how the agency categorized racial and ethnic identities. —Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025

The 2024 census results could lead to further tensions between Baghdad and the Kurdish leaders who fear a loss of influence in Iraq’s sectarian system (which was imposed by the U.S.), while constitutional disputes between Baghdad and Erbil remain unresolved. —James Durso, The Hill, 16 Jan. 2025

That's up from 28 years old in 2010, per census data. —Isaac Avilucea, Axios, 15 Jan. 2025

This enabled the team to create the first highly refined census of black holes growing by consuming the matter around them. —Robert Lea, Space.com, 14 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)