Words / C1

SENS-uh-ship/ˈsensəʃɪp/

Censorship is the official control of what may be published, shown, or said: wartime censorship, internet censorship. Control is everyday and broader; suppression is a close, more hostile cousin. Censor is the verb and the official. Self-censorship is holding back without a state order. In speech, they will not let it be shown is enough. Argue with examples: who decides, what is cut, and on what grounds.

Meaning

The practice of officially controlling what may be published or shown.

Examples

• “Strict censorship limited the news.”
• “Strict censorship meant the local paper printed rumours as weather.”
• “Writers described a climate of self-censorship, not only a list of banned titles.”

Good to know

Official control of what is shown/said. Verb/person: censor. Related: self-censorship. Everyday: official blocking. Close: suppression.

Near in meaning

suppression

New