What does censor mean?
A censor is an official — or anyone acting in such a capacity — empowered to examine books, films, letters, news reports, or other forms of expression and to delete or forbid anything considered morally offensive, politically dangerous, or harmful to security. Used as a verb, 'to censor' means to carry out this suppression, as in a regime that censors the press. The word traces back to ancient Rome, where two censors were senior magistrates who conducted the census and supervised public morals, giving the modern term its enduring association with official judgment over what may be said or shown. Today it appears most often in discussions of media regulation, wartime communication, and freedom of speech, where it frequently carries a critical connotation: to accuse someone of censoring material is usually to imply unjustified suppression rather than legitimate editorial judgment.
An official who examines books, films, letters, or other material and removes or suppresses anything deemed objectionable on moral, political, or security grounds.
"Every dispatch from the front passed through a military censor before reaching civilians."
To examine material and remove or suppress parts considered unacceptable; to subject something to censorship.
"The studio censored the documentary's final act before release."
Takes the suppressed material as its direct object, not the person affected.
Standard regular plural for the noun sense.
"The board appointed three new censors to review incoming publications."
The word 'censor' comes from two ancient Roman magistrates who literally counted the people — and judged their morals while doing it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of censor
The word censor derives directly from Latin censor, the title of one of two Roman magistrates responsible for conducting the census and supervising public morality. The Latin root censere means 'to assess' or 'to estimate', which also gives English census and censure. The modern sense of suppressing objectionable content developed from the Roman official's role as a moral overseer.
Related word forms
How censor is actually used
Both noun and verb senses are standard and neutral in register, though the verb often carries a negative connotation of suppression. The verb takes a direct object (the thing censored), not the person.
Easily confused with censor
To censure is to criticize or condemn formally, while to censor is to suppress or remove content.