Definition of "censure" []

• An expression of strong disapproval or harsh criticism. (noun)
• An official rebuke, as by a legislature of one of its members. (noun)
• To criticize severely; blame. See Synonyms at criticize. (verb-transitive)
• To express official disapproval of: "whether the Senate will censure one of its members for conflict of interest” ( Washington Post). (verb-transitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Illustrations: A resolution of censure may be amended by striking out the word “censure” and inserting the word “thanks, ” for both relate to opinion of certain conduct; refusing to censure is not the same as expressing thanks."
• "In this way, from the beginning of the thirteenth century, although not expressly so stated in the decretals, the term censure became the equivalent of a certain class of ecclesiastical penalties, i.e., interdict, suspension, and excommunication."
• "The kid probably deserves First prize, but, by daring to attack the field of Goebbels Warming, probably managed to get a unique censure from the prize committee typically reserved for Science Fair projects that attempt to justify Eugenics or Lysenkoism — and totally unlike that kid who did a baking soda volcano and still got a “blue ribbon” … everyone gets an award these days, you know … unless their project is clearly unPC."