Censor

/ˈsɛnsər/

verbIntermediateCommonLiterature

Definitions

2 meanings
1

To suppress or delete parts of something considered objectionable.

/ˈsɛnsər/

verbnegativeIntermediate
Literature

To examine and suppress unacceptable parts of.

The movie was censored for violence.

💡 Simply: Imagine a librarian carefully checking each book to remove parts that might upset people. That's censoring—making sure some things aren't seen or heard.

👶 For kids: To hide words or pictures that some people don't want others to see.

More Examples

2

The teacher censored the student's essay.

How It's Used

Media

"The government censored the news report."

Literature

"The book was censored for its explicit content."

2

A person or body authorized to examine and suppress unacceptable parts of material.

/ˈsɛnsər/

nounneutralIntermediate
Literature

A person who examines and suppresses unacceptable parts of material.

The censors removed several scenes from the play.

💡 Simply: Like a book police officer, a censor makes sure things are okay for people to see and hear. If something is bad, they take it away.

👶 For kids: Someone who decides what you can and can't see or hear.

How It's Used

Government

"The film board acted as censors."

Tip:A censor 'senses' what is inappropriate.

From Latin *censor, meaning 'examiner of public morals'. Its modern usage developed from the Roman censors who oversaw the census and public morality.

In ancient Rome, censors were officials with significant power, responsible for conducting censuses and maintaining public morals. The word's meaning has evolved from this original context.

Memory tip

Think of a 'sensor' that detects and removes unwanted things.

censersensor

Usage

30%Spoken
70%Written