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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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”