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

Speech — Intimidation as censorship The First Amendment protects disputable speech, not agreeable. —Brielle Miller, Baltimore Sun, 9 Mar. 2026

Internet access in Iran is tightly controlled by the government, which operates one of the most restrictive systems of online censorship in the world. —Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026

The mass exodus at the Toronto Film Critics Association is gathering pace after indigenous actress and filmmaker Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers returned her award trophy following the alleged censorship of her video acceptance speech, which included remarks in support of Palestine. —Adam Benzine, HollywoodReporter, 5 Mar. 2026

Since then, however, Iranian classical musicians have ridden many looping cycles of official condemnation, grudging tolerance, censorship and attempts at co-option by the regime. —Anastasia Tsioulcas, NPR, 3 Mar. 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