Dictionary.com
definitions

blue-pencil

[bloo-pen-suh l]
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR blue-pencil ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), blue-pen·ciled, blue-pen·cil·ing or (especially British) blue-pen·cilled, blue-pen·cil·ling.

to alter, abridge, or cancel with or as with a pencil that has blue lead, as in editing a manuscript.

RELATED CONTENT

Blue Steel
Read more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE
Blue Waffle
Read more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE

RELATED WORDS

restriction, suppression, blackout, invalidate, annul, veto, void, undo, abolish, restrict, quash, offset, negate, abrogate, repeal, rescind, torpedo, annihilate, expunge, exterminate

Origin of blue-pencil

First recorded in 1885–90
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for blue pencil

blue pencil

noun

deletion, alteration, or censorship of the contents of a book or other work

verb blue-pencil -cils, -cilling or -cilled or US -cils, -ciling or -ciled

(tr) to alter or delete parts of (a book, film, etc), esp to censor
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012