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

Meta denied censorship, citing dozens of youth studies since 2022, but lawmakers from both parties said Meta has failed to protect minors and signaled support for new legislation to hold tech companies accountable. —Charlie Fink, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025

The survey questioned more than 68,000 students natiownide about their comfort expressing ideas, political tolerance, self censorship and administrative support. —Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 10 Sep. 2025

The ban, which had been widely criticized as a tool for censorship and for punishing government opponents who voice their protests online, was lifted early Tuesday, The Associated Press reported. —Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2025

The censorship of independent media, the de facto ban on YouTube and the persecution of journalists, artists, and researchers adds to the repression. —Yegor Mostovshikov, The Dial, 9 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