census
SEN-suss
/ˈsɛnsəs/
An official, systematic count or survey of a population, typically recording various details of individuals.
Implies a complete enumeration of a whole population rather than a sample survey.
The story behind the word. In ancient Rome, the magistrate known as the censor took an official register of citizens and property for taxation and military service. This process was known as the 'census'.
Word relationships
- count: 'Count' is general, while 'census' is systematic and official.
- enumeration: 'Enumeration' emphasizes the act of counting item by item.
- estimate: An estimate relies on calculation or sampling rather than exhaustive counting.
Commonly confused with
- consensus: A census is a population count; consensus means general agreement.
Word family
- censual (adjective): Relating to a census.
Collocations
- decennial census
- conduct a census
- census data
- census bureau
Example sentences
- "The decennial census provides the official baseline for redrawing legislative districts." Official record
- "According to the 1920 United States census, more than half of the population lived in urban areas for the first time." Historical documentation (U.S. Census Bureau Historical Reports)
Memory hook
Think of sensible censors counting citizens. Count every citizen.
When not to use
Do not use for informal tallies or quick sample polls.
Fun facts
- The world's oldest surviving census records come from China's Han Dynasty in 2 CE, recording a population of 57.6 million.
Related words
Explore more words
audit, survey, canvass, conscription, densely-populated, citizen
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