censor
UK: ˈsɛnsə | US: ˈsɛnsər
n. an official who examines material for suppression or approval
vt. to suppress or alter parts deemed objectionable
The word traces back to Roman censors, magistrates who monitored public morals and census records. Over time, it evolved to mean any authority suppressing content. The root cens- reflects judgment (as in "census" for population assessment), while -or marks the role. The dual sense of "evaluator" and "suppressor" persists today.
The film was heavily edited by the censor before release.
Ancient Roman censors upheld social standards.
The government censors all news articles about the protest.
She worked as a censor for military correspondence during the war.
Critics argue the committee acts more like a censor than an advisor.