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

The sentiment that cancel culture and social media censorship went too far is something that is felt far beyond the manosphere. —Donie O'Sullivan, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2025

The debate over the law centers on balancing accountability for harmful content with the risks of censorship and stifled innovation. —Daryl Lim, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2025

Brand, 49, will also speak on censorship and free speech while being interviewed by New College President Richard Corcoran during a speaking engagement scheduled for Saturday, April 12 at the college in Sarasota, Fla. —Sharareh Drury, People.com, 9 Apr. 2025

Many artists began using aliases (and particularly ones that constantly changed) on Instagram, while others resisted censorship outright. —Rebecca Ruth Gould, JSTOR Daily, 9 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for censorship

• authorship
• battleship
• chairmanship
• chieftainship
• comradeship
• consulship
• craftsmanship
• dealership
• draftsmanship
• fellowship
• fingertip
• internship

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