censor definition - Dictionary

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censor

cen·sor [ sénssər ]

noun (plural cen·sors)

Definition:

1. official removing objectionable material: an official who examines plays, movies, letters, or publications with a view to removing or banning content considered to be offensive or a threat to security

2. somebody who suppresses something: somebody or something that suppresses or controls something that may offend or harm others

3. ancient Roman official: in ancient Rome, either of two elected magistrates who were responsible for holding censuses, overseeing public morals, and controlling aspects of finance and taxation

4. psychiatry inhibiting force in mind: in psychology, a mechanism believed to be responsible for what can and cannot emerge from the subconscious to the conscious mind. It is thought to prevent harmful memories, ideas, and desires from reaching the conscious level.

transitive verb (past and past participle cen·sored, present participle cen·sor·ing, 3rd person present singular cen·sors)

Definition:

1. remove offensive parts from something: to remove or change any part of a play, movie, letter, or publication considered offensive or a threat to security

2. exercise control over something: to suppress or control something that may offend or harm others

[Mid-16th century. < Latin< censere "appraise"]

cen·sor·a·ble adjective

cen·so·ri·al [ sen sáwree əl ] adjective

Word Usage


	censor or censure? Though spelled similarly these two words are pronounced differently and have different meanings. A censor is a person who suppresses or removes information (Military censors have excised some of the target photos for security reasons), while censure is severe criticism or condemnation (the object of a strongly worded censure). Both words can be verbs, and as such they preserve their distinct meanings.