Definition of censure
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: a judgment involving condemnation
unorthodox practices awaiting the censure of the city council
2
: the act of blaming or condemning sternly
The country faces international censure for its alleged involvement in the assassination.
3
: an official reprimand
The lawyer's misconduct resulted in a letter of censure from the judge.
censure
verbDefinition of censure (Entry 2 of 2)
1a
: to find fault with and criticize as blameworthy
She would tell him it was … no sign of a good pastor to be eternally censuring his flock.— Charlotte Brontë
b
: to formally reprimand (someone) : to express official censure of (someone)
While a vote to censure the president has no legal ramifications, it is a significant and rare symbolic vote of disapproval.— Emma Loop
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Test Your Vocabulary
Who Knew?
-
- What is a ruelle?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
Spell words. Make bears.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Share censure
Time Traveler for censure
The first known use of censure was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century