census

noun

cen·​sus ˈsen(t)-səs How to pronounce census (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Both redistrictings are occurring mid-decade, when census data is years old. Rachel Royster july 14, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 July 2025 North Kansas City’s total population has grown by more than 26% since 2020, according to 2024 census data and is home to one of the most diverse school districts in the state. Alecia Taylor july 11, Kansas City Star, 11 July 2025 More than a half-million dwelling units were built in the L.A. metro area from 1940 to 1950, according to the U.S. census, most of them after the war. James Rainey follow, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025 Both communities qualified for ARPA’s eligibility criteria based on low-income census tracts calculated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Durckel said. Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for census

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of census was in 1634

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Census.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/census. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

census

noun
cen·​sus ˈsen(t)-səs How to pronounce census (audio)
: 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)

More from Merriam-Webster on census

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