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 reality is that the Digital Services Act says nothing about censorship, especially not of Americans. — Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2026

The 2025 killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University generated a wave of censorship at American universities over the past year, FIRE said in a news release. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 14 Sep. 2026

Before the suspension, FCC chair Brendan Carr threatened ABC to take action against Kimmel, sparking outcry and accusations of government censorship. — Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026

The exhibition was put together by Feminist Image Group artists with their interpretation of the realities of censorship. — La Jolla Light, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Sep. 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