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.
During the news conference, Sheinbaum denounced the idea that the music contest was a form of censorship. — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026 Per the settlement, former director Patty Hector, who was fired by the county's chief executive following a dispute over censorship, will receive $225,000. — Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 28 Aug. 2026 Part of Mapplethorpe’s legacy is a controversy surrounding the censorship of his work. — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 28 Aug. 2026 The Gao Brothers, whose works addressed themes of authoritarianism and censorship, became famous in a time of relative openness in China and were exhibited both inside the country and abroad. — ABC News, 25 Aug. 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 2 Sep. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on censorship

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for censorship

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about censorship

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