V-chip

American  

[vee-chip] / ˈviˌtʃɪp /

noun

1. a computer chip or other electronic device that blocks the reception of violent or sexually explicit television shows.

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V-chip British  

noun

1. a device within a television set that allows the set to be programmed not to receive transmissions that have been classified as containing sex, violence, or obscene language

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V-chip Cultural  

1. A congressionally mandated embedded microchip for television sets that automatically blocks sexual or violent programming when activated.

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Discover More

As of 2002, all TV sets sold in the United States contained a V-chip.

Etymology

Origin of V-chip

1990–95; v(iolent) or v(iolence) + chip ¹ (in the sense “a microprocessor or integrated circuit”

Example Sentences

He championed modest but popular proposals such as the V-chip, a device to help parents control what their children watch on television.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 19, 2023

Don’t rely or wait for Twitter, YouTube or Pinterest to develop a TV-like V-chip.

From Washington Times • Jan. 1, 2018

Under political and social pressure in the mid-1990s, the voluntary system was established by the TV industry to be used with the so-called V-chip that can block shows electronically.

From Time • Dec. 9, 2013

Additionally, due to a transcript error, a joke about the V-chip was misattributed to Donald Verrilli rather than Justice Anthony Kennedy.

From Slate • Jan. 13, 2012

I call on Congress to pass the requirement for a V-chip in TV sets so that parents can screen out programs they believe are inappropriate for their children.

From State of the Union Address by Clinton, William Jefferson