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

It is beamed into living rooms via satellite dishes, which millions of Iranians use to skirt the government’s media censorship. — Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2026

Taiwanese artist participating in the 16th iteration of the Gwangju Biennale allege that exhibition organizers changed the name of their pavilion in an act of political censorship. — News Desk, Artforum, 19 Aug. 2026

The discussion was wide-ranging, peppered with topics such as democracy, diversity, equity and inclusion, censorship and cultural appropriation. — Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026

In response, Truth Social has absurdly claimed that the lawsuit amounts to censorship. — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 16 Aug. 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