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 Global Engagement Center was closed last month amid a reorganization of the State Department and allegations from conservatives of censorship. —The National Desk, Baltimore Sun, 1 May 2025

The company said the changes, which were announced January 7, would improve free speech and reduce censorship. —Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025

Orbán’s campaign offered a 21st-century model for media control – one rooted not in overt censorship but in narrative saturation. —Adam G. Klein, The Conversation, 28 Apr. 2025

During their Friday performance, the Irish rap group challenged censorship by conveying their message through visual graphics, though Coachella did not broadcast any performances from the Sonora tent during weekend two. —Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 21 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