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noun Uncommon

censor

SEHN-suh

Censor (noun) means an official who reviews books, films, or other media and removes content considered objectionable or dangerous. Example: “The film was cut by government censors before release.”

noun
1
An official who reviews books, films, or other media and removes content considered objectionable or dangerous.
"The film was cut by government censors before release."
verb
1
To examine and remove or block content judged unsuitable.
"The regime censors any news critical of its leaders."
"The app censors profanity in usernames automatically."

How to use censor

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA person or system that reviews and blocks content considered unacceptable — or the act of doing so.

Common mistake

Don't confuse censor (to suppress content) with censure (to formally criticize or reprimand someone) or sensor (a detecting device) — all three are pronounced similarly.

Easily confused with
Common pairings
government censor censor content strict censor

Word forms

censored past tense, censors plural, censors plural, censors singular

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The film was cut by government _____ before release.

Etymology

From Latin censor, an ancient Roman magistrate who oversaw the census and public morality.

Origin: Latin

ban

Related words

Rhymes for censor

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Frequently asked questions

What does “censor” mean?

The word “censor” means an official who reviews books, films, or other media and removes content considered objectionable or dangerous. In plain terms, a person or system that reviews and blocks content considered unacceptable — or the act of doing so.

How do you pronounce “censor”?

“Censor” is pronounced SEHN-suh (/ˈsɛnsɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “censor” in a sentence?

Here is “censor” used in a sentence: “The film was cut by government censors before release.”

What part of speech is “censor”?

Depending on how it is used, “censor” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “censor” come from?

The word “censor” comes from Latin. From Latin censor, an ancient Roman magistrate who oversaw the census and public morality.

Is “censor” a common word?

“Censor” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “censor” have?

“Censor” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an official who reviews books, films, or other media and removes content considered objectionable or dangerous.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial