Dictionary definition · silence
noun
- 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"
- the trait of keeping things secret
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"
Source: Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).