# census

/ˈsɛnsəs/ (US) · /sˈɛnsəs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/census
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. population count

noun · CEFR B2

an official process of counting every person in a country and recording facts about them.

For teachers: a periodic official enumeration of a population, often including the collection of demographic data such as age, occupation, and housing.

- The government carries out a national census every ten years to plan for new schools and hospitals.
- The 2020 census revealed significant demographic shifts, with a notable increase in the urban population compared to the previous decade.

Usage: Often used with the verbs 'conduct', 'take', or 'carry out'.

### 2. historical tax

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Technical

a type of tax that people had to pay to a lord in the past.

For teachers: a registration of citizens and their property for purposes of taxation; specifically, a feudal tax or tribute.

- In medieval times, the census was a tax paid by peasants to the landowner.
- The legal documents from the fourteenth century detail the various forms of census and labor services owed by the tenantry to the manor.

## Examples

- The government conducts a national census every ten years.
- After the latest census, the city council decided to build two new schools to accommodate the growing population.
- Demographers rely on census data to track long-term shifts in urban density and to ensure that public resources are distributed equitably across different regions.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.