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

Citing national security interests, the authorities have used increasingly stringent wartime censorship laws to crack down on those opposed to the conflict, prompting many activists and independent media outlets to leave the country. — Reuters, NBC news, 10 Aug. 2026

And studies have shown that Chinese AI censorship can be undone by tweaking the open-weight models. — J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 7 Aug. 2026

In response to the ruling, Qommittee, a national group formed in 2024 to support drag performers facing censorship and threats, updated its guide for Florida. — Ana Goni Lessan, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2026

Pro-Kremlin politicians accuse the West of trying to destabilise Russia and say that some censorship is necessary to safeguard national unity at a time when Moscow is locked in an existential struggle with Ukraine and the West. — Reuters, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

censor entry 1 + -ship

First Known Use

1556, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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