censorship

noun

cen·​sor·​ship ˈsen(t)-sər-ˌship How to pronounce censorship (audio)
Synonyms of censorship
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This incident points to a larger pattern in India's film censorship history. — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026 The third chapter of my book on anthologies, The Treasuries, is about literary censorship in the early nineteenth century. — Clare Bucknell, The New York Review of Books, 27 June 2026 Iran is an incredibly fascinating country in terms of film, where many independent filmmakers who reject censorship are currently active. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 28 June 2026 The organization also called for stronger protections for faculty against censorship or retaliation. — Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for censorship

Word History

Etymology

censor entry 1 + -ship

First Known Use

1556, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of censorship was in 1556

Phrases Containing censorship

Rhymes for censorship

See All Rhymes for censorship

Browse Nearby Words

censoriousness
censorship
censos
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Censorship.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/censorship. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

censorship

noun
cen·​sor·​ship ˈsen(t)-sər-ˌship How to pronounce censorship (audio)
: the system or practice of censoring

Medical Definition

censorship

noun
cen·​sor·​ship ˈsen(t)-sər-ˌship How to pronounce censorship (audio)
: 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
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