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English Dictionary

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 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