census

noun

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

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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.
The congressional map enacted after the last census was challenged and rejected in court. — Jason Buckel, Baltimore Sun, 6 Aug. 2026 Four years later, a census bureau estimated Wendell at nearly 17,000. — Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 4 Aug. 2026 Citizens serve on juries, respond to the census and pay taxes. — Susan Ostermann, Mercury News, 1 Aug. 2026 Brignoles is located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southeastern France and has a population of around 18,000, according to a recent census. — Mason Leib, ABC News, 30 July 2026 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

circa 1628, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of census was circa 1628

Phrases Containing census

Rhymes for census

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Browse Nearby Words

censurer
census
census clause
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Cite this Entry

“Census.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/census. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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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

Nglish: Translation of census for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about census

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