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 late-night host's temporary suspension sparked widespread outcry and accusations of government censorship. —Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025

Here, Casale and the Mothersbaugh brothers offer their candid thoughts about the Netflix documentary, artificial intelligence, FCC censorship and their tour with the B-52s. —Joe Lynch, Billboard, 25 Sep. 2025

The union’s national board made the decision to create this censorship hotline during its meeting last Saturday, as Kimmel was in talks with Disney to return to the air. —Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025

That’s the really terrifying part of this particular edit — AI alterations that exist to serve censorship and degrade creators’ original storytelling. —Brian Welk, IndieWire, 25 Sep. 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