census

[ sen-suhs ]

noun

, plural cen·sus·es.

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

/ 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

Derived Forms

• ˈcensual, adjective

Other Words From

• cen·su·al [sen, -shoo-, uh, l], adjective
• pre·census noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of census¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of census¹

C17: from Latin, from cēnsēre to assess

Example Sentences

Another goal of Measure A is to reduce the number of people on the street suffering from severe mental illness, which according to the latest census afflicts more than 15,000 of the county’s homeless people.

From Los Angeles Times

While roughly 18% of New Zealand's population consider themselves to be Māori, according to the most recent census, many remain disadvantaged compared with the general population when assessed through markers such as health outcomes, household income, education levels and incarceration and mortality rates.

From BBC

India’s 2011 Census data showed the country had 96 million women above 45 years.

From BBC

Redistricting after the 2020 census made the district bluer by excising conservative Simi Valley.

From Los Angeles Times

According to Census data, as of 2021 11.6% of households were opposite-sex unmarried partners, the second largest share next to their married counterparts.

From Salon

Related Words

• enumeration
• poll