censor
B2Formal, Academic, Journalistic, Political
Definition
Meaning
To examine and remove parts of books, films, letters, etc., that are considered harmful, offensive, or a threat to security.
As a noun: an official who examines material for censorship. As a verb: the act of suppressing or prohibiting free expression. Can also refer to psychological repression of unacceptable thoughts.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Refers to an official, often government-sanctioned, act of suppression. Can be applied to various media (internet, press, art). The related noun 'censorship' denotes the system or practice. Do not confuse with 'censer' (a vessel for burning incense) or 'censure' (severe criticism).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Meaning and usage are identical. Minor spelling differences in derived forms (e.g., BrE 'censoring', AmE 'censoring' both correct).
Connotations
Universally negative in democratic contexts, implying authoritarian control and violation of free speech. In some specific contexts (e.g., military, protecting children), it may be seen as a necessary duty.
Frequency
Similar frequency in both varieties, commonly used in political and media discourse.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
censor sthcensor sbbe censored by sb/sthhave sth censoredVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The censor's scissors”
- “Fall foul of the censor”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might refer to censoring internal communications for legal compliance.
Academic
Common in media studies, political science, and history (e.g., 'The regime censored all academic journals').
Everyday
Used when discussing news, social media moderation, or parental controls on content.
Technical
Used in IT/networking (e.g., 'The firewall censors certain websites') and psychology (e.g., 'ego censor').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The BBC was required to censor the documentary before broadcast.
- During the war, all soldiers' letters were censored by an army official.
American English
- The school board voted to censor several books from the library.
- Social media platforms are often accused of censoring political content.
adverb
British English
- This scene is usually shown censoredly in daytime broadcasts.
- The news was reported censoredly, omitting key details.
American English
- The article was published censoredly, with multiple paragraphs redacted.
- He spoke censoredly, careful not to reveal classified information.
adjective
British English
- The released files were heavily censored, with many lines blacked out.
- She received a censored copy of her grandfather's war diary.
American English
- They watched a censored version of the film on network television.
- The report was deemed too sensitive and remains a censored document.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Parents sometimes censor what their young children watch on TV.
- The government does not allow this news to be shown; they censor it.
- The film was censored to remove violent scenes.
- Historians study censored newspapers to understand what the regime was hiding.
- The journalist argued that the new law was designed to censor criticism.
- The autocratic regime employs a vast apparatus to censor the internet and stifle dissent.
- The committee's role was not to censor academic freedom but to ensure ethical compliance.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
A CENSOR SENds SORrow by cutting out the truth.
Conceptual Metaphor
INFORMATION IS A FLUID (it can be blocked, filtered, cut). FREEDOM IS LIGHT (censorship is 'putting out the light' or 'casting a shadow').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'цензор' (censor) и 'цензура' (censorship) – перевод прямой, но важно не использовать слово для простой 'критики'.
- Не путать с 'censure' /ˈsenʃər/ (строгое осуждение, выговор).
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'censor' (verb/noun) with 'censure' (verb/noun, meaning to criticize harshly).
- Misspelling as 'censer'.
- Using it for simple editing without the element of suppression on moral/political/security grounds.
Practice
Quiz
Which word is most closely associated with the official suppression of information?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Censor' refers to suppressing or removing content. 'Censure' means to express severe disapproval or criticism of someone, often formally.
No. While often associated with state authority, censorship can be performed by private organizations, parents, schools, or media platforms.
Rarely. It is generally negative, implying a loss of freedom. In contexts like protecting children from harm or national security, the *act* might be argued as necessary, but the term itself retains its controlling connotation.
The primary noun is 'censorship'. The noun 'censor' refers to the person who performs the activity (e.g., 'She worked as a film censor').