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

As accusations of censorship mount at museums nationwide, a new resource has emerged to help artists safeguard freedom of expression. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 23 June 2026

While those measures have support from liberals who are skeptical of Big Tech companies and from conservatives worried about the effects of social media use on minors, free-speech advocates have warned that the provisions would create opportunities for unauthorized surveillance or for censorship. — Victoria Baeza Garcia, The Washington Examiner, 23 June 2026

Obviously, though, Russell took massive creative liberties that scandalized audiences and led to global censorship. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 22 June 2026

Prior to the Bartoška era, there were some rocky periods under communism, but even then, organizers fought for artistic independence despite state censorship. — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 21 June 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