censorship

/ˈsensəʃɪp/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsensərʃɪp/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsen(t)-sər-ˌship/ (ame, mw)

censorship — noun

1. the practice of preventing books, news reports, films, or other media from being

1.名詞B2
釋義

the practice of preventing books, news reports, films, or other media from being shown, published, or shared, especially for political or moral reasons

例句

Ravi objected to the censorship of his documentary about fair trade farming.

censorship of + [specific content]

The school principal's censorship of the play upset the drama students.

同義詞
  • suppression

    Broader term — can involve violent or legal force against any activity, not just media

  • restriction

    Milder and more partial, e.g. age limits on films rather than a complete ban

  • banning

    More absolute and typically applied to individual items rather than an ongoing system

反義詞
  • free expression

    The principle of allowing open communication without official interference

用法筆記

Uncountable noun — do not use with 'a' or in plural form. Frequently found in political, legal, and media contexts.

常見錯誤

❌The government imposed a strict censorship on the media.
✅The government imposed strict censorship on the media.
💡Censorship is uncountable and should not be used with the article 'a'.
❌Many censorships exist in different countries.
✅Censorship exists in many different forms around the world.
💡Censorship does not have a plural form.
❌The government's censure of the film was widely criticized.
✅The government's censorship of the film was widely criticized.
💡'Censure' means formal disapproval; 'censorship' means content being blocked.

2. a system of control by which a government or other authority determines what inf

2.名詞B2
釋義

a system of control by which a government or other authority determines what information, opinions, or artistic works the public may access or discuss

例句

The country's strict censorship system blocks access to thousands of foreign news sites.

censorship system as subject with verb blocks

Under the new censorship laws, publishers must submit all textbooks for official review.

under + censorship laws

同義詞
  • state control

    Wider scope — covers non-media aspects of government authority as well

  • thought control

    Informal and more extreme, suggesting suppression of ideas themselves

反義詞
  • freedom of speech

    The opposing principle that allows people to express ideas without official restriction

  • freedom of the press

    Specifically refers to the right of news media to report without government interference

用法筆記

Often paired with modifiers such as 'state', 'government', or 'official' to emphasize the institutional nature of the control. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 2 refers to an ongoing system or policy, whereas sense 1 refers to specific acts of blocking.

常見錯誤

❌The country has a censorship system that controls what people read.
✅The country has a censorship system that controls what people can read.
💡Add 'can' to express permission; the bare verb is ungrammatical after 'what' in this pattern.
❌Censorship is when the government blocks information.
✅Censorship is a system in which the government blocks information.
💡Use 'a system in which' rather than 'is when' for definitions of institutional concepts.