censorship

noun

cen·​sor·​ship ˈsen(t)-sər-ˌship 

1

a

: the institution, system, or practice of censoring

They oppose government censorship.

b

: the actions or practices of censors

especially : censorial control exercised repressively

censorship that has … permitted a very limited dispersion of facts

—Philip Wylie

2

: the office, power, or term of a Roman censor

3

: exclusion from consciousness by the psychic censor

Examples of censorship in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Like most censorship in authoritarian regimes, harassment in China often occurs gradually and without formal documentation. —Majd Al-Waheidi, NPR, 18 Sep. 2024

The bill would provide a legal basis for authorities to outlaw Pride events and public displays of the LGBTQ rainbow flag, and to impose censorship of films and books. —Reuters, CNN, 17 Sep. 2024

In a country which has a long history of censorship of films, TV and other media on religious and political grounds, the policy was opposed by those fearing that the government would use the laws to silence its critics. —Patrick Frater, Variety, 10 Sep. 2024

History reveals that censorship of hateful ideas is often a cure that is worse than the disease, deepening social divides. —Jacob McHangama, The Conversation, 14 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

censor entry 1 + -ship

First Known Use

circa 1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing censorship

• anti-censorship
• self-censorship

Kids Definition

censorship

noun

cen·​sor·​ship ˈsen(t)-sər-ˌship 

: the system or practice of censoring

Medical Definition

censorship

noun

cen·​sor·​ship ˈsen(t)-sər-ˌship 

: exclusion from consciousness by the psychic censor

Legal Definition

censorship

noun

cen·​sor·​ship

: the institution, system, or practice of censoring compare freedom of speech, prior restraint