noun
Common
censorship
SEHN-suh-shihp
Censorship (noun) means the suppression or control of speech, writing, or other media by an authority. Example: “Strict censorship meant the newspaper could not print anything critical of the leaders.”
noun
1
The suppression or control of speech, writing, or other media by an authority.
"Strict censorship meant the newspaper could not print anything critical of the leaders."
"The journalist wrote about censorship under the old regime."
"Critics accused the platform of censorship after posts were removed."
How to use censorship
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe practice of controlling or blocking information, ideas, or speech, usually by a government or powerful institution.
Common pairings
government censorship
internet censorship
freedom from censorship
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Word forms
- Plural
- censorships
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Strict _____ meant the newspaper could not print anything critical of the leaders.
Etymology
From censor plus the "-ship" ending, meaning the office, role, or practice of censoring.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for censorship
See all rhymes for censorship →Frequently asked questions
What does “censorship” mean?
The word “censorship” means the suppression or control of speech, writing, or other media by an authority. In plain terms, the practice of controlling or blocking information, ideas, or speech, usually by a government or powerful institution.
How do you pronounce “censorship”?
“Censorship” is pronounced SEHN-suh-shihp (/ˈsɛnsɚʃɪp/ in IPA).
How do you use “censorship” in a sentence?
Here is “censorship” used in a sentence: “The journalist wrote about censorship under the old regime.”
What part of speech is “censorship”?
“Censorship” is a noun.
Is “censorship” a common word?
“Censorship” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between censorship and editing?
Censorship involves an authority suppressing or controlling speech, writing, or other media, often to restrict information or viewpoints. Editing, by contrast, is a normal creative or publishing process of refining content, not an act of suppression by an outside authority.
Who typically carries out censorship?
Censorship is carried out by an authority, such as a government, institution, or organization, that has the power to suppress or control speech, writing, or other media.
Is self-censorship the same as censorship?
Not exactly. Censorship, by definition, is suppression or control imposed by an outside authority, while self-censorship refers to a person choosing to restrict their own speech, often out of caution rather than external enforcement.
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