silence

the trait of keeping things secret

cause to be quiet or not talk

“Please silence the children in the church!”

the absence of sound

“he needed silence in order to sleep”

a refusal to speak when expected

“his silence about my contribution was surprising”

keep from expression, for example by threats or pressure

“All dissenters were silenced when the dictator assumed power”

the state of being silent (as when no one is speaking)

“there was a shocked silence”