census

American  

[sen-suhs] / ˈsɛn səs /

noun

plural

censuses

1. an official enumeration of the population, with details as to age, sex or gender, occupation, etc.

2. (in ancient Rome) the registration of citizens and their property, for purposes of taxation.

---

verb (used with object)

1. to take a census of (a country, city, etc.).

   The entire nation is censused every 10 years.

census British  

/ ˈsɛnsəs /

noun

1. an official periodic count of a population including such information as sex, age, occupation, etc

2. any offical count

   a traffic census

3. (in ancient Rome) a registration of the population and a property evaluation for purposes of taxation

---

Other Word Forms

• censual adjective
• precensus noun

Etymology

Origin of census

First recorded in 1605–15; from Latin: “a listing and property assessment of citizens,” equivalent to cēns(ēre) “to assess, register (citizens) in a census” + -tus suffix of verb action; for -s- in place of -st- censor

Example Sentences

A shift began with the 1941 census, when its 22-question schedule moved from "who you are" to also "how you live".

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

In the absence of a fresh census, it has relied on sample surveys - from consumption expenditure to labour force data - with the statistics ministry working to keep them broadly representative.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

India's transgender population was estimated at nearly 500,000 in the 2011 census, although activists say stigma and underreporting mask the true figure.

From Barron's • Mar. 24, 2026

Nine out of 10 residents say their city is unsafe, according to census data, more than in any other municipality in Mexico.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2026

My father affected Americans—black and white—in untold measure and not always in ways as definitive as census charts and polls have dictated.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey

Related Words

• enumeration
• poll