silence

[ sahy-luhns ]

noun

1. absence of any sound or noise; stillness.
2. the state or fact of being silent; muteness.
3. absence or omission of mention, comment, or expressed concern:

   the conspicuous silence of our newspapers on local graft.

4. the state of being forgotten; oblivion:

   in the news again after years of silence.

5. concealment; secrecy.

verb (used with object)

, si·lenced, si·lenc·ing.

1. to put or bring to silence; still.

   Synonyms: gag, muzzle, quell, hush

2. to put (doubts, fears, etc.) to rest; quiet.
3. Military. to still (enemy guns), as by more effective fire.

interjection

1. be silent! “Silence!” the teacher shouted.

silence

/ ˈsaɪləns /

noun

1. the state or quality of being silent
2. the absence of sound or noise; stillness
3. refusal or failure to speak, communicate, etc, when expected

   his silence on the subject of their promotion was alarming

4. a period of time without noise
5. oblivion or obscurity

verb

1. to bring to silence
2. to put a stop to; extinguish

   to silence all complaint

Other Words From

• over·silence noun
• un·silenced adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of silence¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English (noun), from Old French, from Latin silentium, derivative of silēre “to be quiet”; silent

Word History and Origins

Origin of silence¹

C13: via Old French from Latin silēntium, from silēre to be quiet. See silent

Example Sentences

Sal Mercogliano, a maritime historian and former merchant mariner, said that the silence the sailors must have heard in those moments is "the worst sound you ever hear" on a ship.

From BBC

All the silence and people wanting to stay 'neutral' thanks for absolutely nothing.

From BBC

On a cold November Tuesday, a mile outside of town, Tucker’s bright yellow Diedrich D-120 drill rig pierces the desert silence.

From Los Angeles Times

The soldiers I spoke with described a mix of anger, disappointment, pain or ‘radio silence’ from their former comrades.

From BBC

“At least he’s smart,” she kept saying, as if to excuse his excessive drinking or unnerving silence.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• blackout
• calm
• lull
• peace
• quiet
• reticence
• secrecy
• stillness