'pro-' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'pro', where 'pro' meant 'for'; 'censorship' originates from Latin 'censor' (from the verb 'censere', meaning 'to assess' or 'to judge') combined with the suffix '-ship' (Old English 'scipe') meaning 'state or condition'.

'censor' passed from Latin 'censor' into Old French as 'censeur' and then into Middle English as 'censor'; the noun 'censorship' was later formed in English by adding the suffix '-ship' to 'censor'; the prefix 'pro-' (Latin) was later attached in modern English to indicate being 'for' or 'in favor of' the concept, producing the compound 'pro-censorship'.

Originally, Latin 'censere' meant 'to assess, give an opinion, or rate'; over time the role of a 'censor' (a public official who assessed) shifted toward controlling or suppressing material deemed objectionable, and 'censorship' evolved to mean the practice of suppressing or restricting speech or information; 'pro-censorship' therefore denotes being 'for' that practice.