silence silence /ˈsaɪləns/

interjection

1. () Commands or requests for silence.  ( whisht [Dialect, UK, Irish] , be quiet , hush , shush [Informal] , silence , sh , shh )
   Commands or requests for silence.
   

noun

1. () The state of being silent (as when no one is speaking)  ( silence )
   the state of being silent (as when no one is speaking)
    There was a shocked silence
   there was a shocked silence
    He gestured for silence
   he gestured for silence
   
2. () The absence of sound  ( quiet , silence )
   the absence of sound
    He needed silence in order to sleep
   he needed silence in order to sleep
    The street was quiet
   the street was quiet
   
3. () A refusal to speak when expected  ( muteness , silence )
   a refusal to speak when expected
    His silence about my contribution was surprising
   his silence about my contribution was surprising
   
4. () The trait of keeping things secret  ( secretiveness , silence , secrecy )
   the trait of keeping things secret
   

verb

1. () Cause to be quiet or not talk  ( hush up , quieten [British] , hush , shut up , silence , still )
   cause to be quiet or not talk
    Please silence the children in the church!
   Please silence the children in the church!
   
2. Keep from expression, for example by threats or pressure  ( silence )
   keep from expression, for example by threats or pressure
    All dissenters were silenced when the dictator assumed power
   All dissenters were silenced when the dictator assumed power