censor
SEN-ser
/ˈsen.sər/
To examine books, films, or news to suppress objectionable matter, or an official who performs such examination.
Focuses on authority figures examining and altering expression prior to or upon publication.
The story behind the word. In ancient Rome, a 'censor' was a magistrate responsible for taking the census, assessing taxes, and overseeing public morality. Over centuries, the moral oversight aspect eclipsed the accounting duties, creating the modern term for state controllers of speech.
Word relationships
- suppress: Suppress means holding down or crushing entirely, while censor often involves selective editing or redacting.
- blackout: Blackout specifically refers to complete withholding of news or signal transmissions.
- publish: Publish means releasing work publicly without blocking content.
- broadcast: Broadcast means widely distributing expression.
Commonly confused with
- censure: Censor means suppressing content; censure means officially criticizing or reprimanding someone.
- sensor: A sensor is a physical device that detects light, heat, or movement.
Word family
- censorship (noun): The suppression or prohibition of speech or writing.
- censorial (adjective): Relating to a censor or censorship.
Collocations
- government censor
- heavily censor
- censor information
- board of censors
Idioms & expressions
- silence the press
Example sentences
- "The censor is a figure of power who operates under the conviction that the state knows best what its citizens should consume." Sociological analysis
- "State authorities moved to censor news broadcasts during the political crisis." Media management
Memory hook
CENSOR assesses the CENSUS of allowed thoughts. Roman moral officer editing public speech.
When not to use
Do not confuse with 'censure' (which means to express severe disapproval or formal criticism).
Fun facts
- Ancient Roman censors held enough power to strip citizens of their social rank and voting rights for public immoral conduct.
Explore more words
censorship, censure, authoritarian, exposé, muckraking, journalism
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