1. An expression of strong disapproval or harsh criticism.
2. An official rebuke, as by a legislature of one of its members.

1. To criticize severely; blame. See synonyms at criticize.
2. To express official disapproval of: "whether the Senate will censure one of its members for conflict of interest" (Washington Post).

[Middle English, from Latin cēnsūra, censorship, from cēnsor, Roman censor. See censor.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.