censorship

censorship — noun

1. the practice of preventing books, news reports, films, or other media from being

1.nounB2
Definition

the practice of preventing books, news reports, films, or other media from being shown, published, or shared, especially for political or moral reasons

Example

Ravi objected to the censorship of his documentary about fair trade farming.

censorship of + [specific content]

The school principal's censorship of the play upset the drama students.

Common collocations
  • impose censorship
  • face censorship
  • strict censorship
  • government censorship
  • censorship of
Synonyms
  • suppression

    Broader term — can involve violent or legal force against any activity, not just media

  • restriction

    Milder and more partial, e.g. age limits on films rather than a complete ban

  • banning

    More absolute and typically applied to individual items rather than an ongoing system

Antonyms
  • free expression

    The principle of allowing open communication without official interference

Usage Note

Uncountable noun — do not use with 'a' or in plural form. Frequently found in political, legal, and media contexts.

Common Mistakes

The government imposed a strict censorship on the media.
The government imposed strict censorship on the media.
Censorship is uncountable and should not be used with the article 'a'.
Many censorships exist in different countries.
Censorship exists in many different forms around the world.
Censorship does not have a plural form.
The government's censure of the film was widely criticized.
The government's censorship of the film was widely criticized.
'Censure' means formal disapproval; 'censorship' means content being blocked.

2. a system of control by which a government or other authority determines what inf

2.nounB2
Definition

a system of control by which a government or other authority determines what information, opinions, or artistic works the public may access or discuss

Example

The country's strict censorship system blocks access to thousands of foreign news sites.

censorship system as subject with verb blocks

Under the new censorship laws, publishers must submit all textbooks for official review.

under + censorship laws

Common collocations
  • censorship system
  • censorship laws
  • state censorship
  • censorship policies
  • censorship regime
Synonyms
  • state control

    Wider scope — covers non-media aspects of government authority as well

  • thought control

    Informal and more extreme, suggesting suppression of ideas themselves

Antonyms
  • freedom of speech

    The opposing principle that allows people to express ideas without official restriction

  • freedom of the press

    Specifically refers to the right of news media to report without government interference

Usage Note

Often paired with modifiers such as 'state', 'government', or 'official' to emphasize the institutional nature of the control. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 2 refers to an ongoing system or policy, whereas sense 1 refers to specific acts of blocking.

Common Mistakes

The country has a censorship system that controls what people read.
The country has a censorship system that controls what people can read.
Add 'can' to express permission; the bare verb is ungrammatical after 'what' in this pattern.
Censorship is when the government blocks information.
Censorship is a system in which the government blocks information.
Use 'a system in which' rather than 'is when' for definitions of institutional concepts.

Word family

  • censor
    nounB2
  • censor
    verbB2
  • censored
    adjectiveB2
  • uncensored
    adjectiveC1
  • censorial
    adjectiveC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Censorship refers specifically to the official or institutional practice of blocking content before or after publication, typically by a government or authority. Suppression is broader — it can involve violence, intimidation, or legal force to stop any kind of activity, not just media. Restriction is milder and more partial, such as placing age limits on films rather than a full ban. Banning is more absolute and tends to target individual items rather than an ongoing system: a government might ban one specific book, whereas censorship implies continuous review of all publications. For example: 'The regime imposed censorship on all news outlets' (systematic screening). 'The government banned a single opposition newspaper' (one item removed). 'The protest was suppressed by police' (use of force to stop an event).

censorship ↗suppression ↗restriction ↗banning

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • subject to censorship
  • freedom from censorship
  • act of censorship

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinEnglish

Censorship comes from the Latin word 'censor', the title of an ancient Roman official who counted citizens (a census) and watched over public behaviour and morals. By the 16th century, English used 'censor' to describe anyone who examined books or plays to remove offensive material. The noun 'censorship' developed shortly after to describe the practice itself.