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Added 9 October 2026

silence

/ˈsaɪlən(t)s/ noun

In Latin: silentium Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about silence at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

The state of being silent (as when no one is speaking).
there was a shocked silence
The absence of sound.
he needed silence in order to sleep
A refusal to speak when expected.
his silence about my contribution was surprising

verb

Cause to be quiet or not talk.
Please silence the children in the church!
Keep from expression, for example by threats or pressure.
All dissenters were silenced when the dictator assumed power

Origin

From Middle English silence, from Old French silence, from Latin silentium (“silence”), from silēns (“quiet, silent”, present participle of silēre) + -ium. Displaced native Old English swīġe and sālnes.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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