census
census Lexical Profile
census Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An official count or survey of a population, typically recording various demographic details of individuals such as age, sex, and occupation.
"The national census is conducted every ten years to determine how congressional seats are apportioned."
In ancient Rome, the official registration of citizens and their property for purposes of taxation and military service.
"Roman magistrates known as censors were responsible for maintaining the census and overseeing public morality."
• verb
To officially count or survey the members of a human or wildlife population.
"Biologists censused the migratory bird population across the wetlands over a three-week period."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'census' (an official count of a population) with 'consensus' (a general agreement among a group of people).
• Rhymes for census
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Latin 'census', the past participle of 'censere' ('to assess, estimate, or register'), originally referring to the official Roman registration of citizens and their property for taxation and military service.