禁言，现代汉语的词义是制止或者禁止各种语言（口语或文字），它是由「禁」和「言」两个基本语素构成的一个合成词。
“Banned from Speaking” (Forced Mute), in modern Chinese, means to prohibit or forbid any language (spoken or written). It is a compound word composed of the two basic morphemes “ban” and “speaking”.
它是中国互联网诞生的现代汉语新词汇之一，其源于2005年以来的互联网，主要应用在网络社区、论坛（BBS）、博客、微博、贴吧、文学、资讯、影音流媒体、语音或视频聊天等多功能网站互动平台的领域，是这类平台的主要管理方式和言论规则，尤其是自2010年以来，不断升级为网络专用的新名词。
其中，“口语”俗称说话，既不区分是母语或其它语言，也不区分是方言或规范的书面语，都是说话的语言表达方式；并且广义上的“说话”包括各种言辞、言谈、谈话、议论、讨论、沟通、商量、交谈、聊天、发言、想法、看法、言论、演讲、演说、播音和电话，发表的观点或论点以及提出的意见或建议等发音行为（语音）的语言表达方式。而“文字”则是指除说话的语言表达方式以外，在闭口的基础上使用字母、符号和字词等视觉形式并通过书写工具、工艺制作、印刷设备（复印机、打印机和传真机等）、电脑键盘输入法、手写输入方式、语音输入法和手机按键输入法及其它方法等多种途径产生的物质形体内容。
所谓禁言是指人们在国际互联网领域享受网站主所提供的网络服务过程中，由于违反相应的用户注册协议规定的基本规则及其它专业言论规则而受到网站主旗下管理人员的约束和限制，并且通过网络程序设置敏感关键词过滤、降权或禁止语言而控制用户发表违规言论的方式给予其使用权限以不同程度处罚的总称。而其中的“违规言论”就是指词条下文标题《禁言规则》所罗列的基本内容。其实，上网注册用户名（如E-MAIL等），若未按注册提示相关说明的规则填写用户名称（账号或ID）、昵称时，会显示格式类的错误提示就是禁言的基本应用所致。
It is one of the new modern Chinese terms born on the Chinese internet. Its origins began in 2005 and is primarily used in online communities, forums (BBSs), blogs, microblogs, online forums, literature, information, audio and video streaming, voice or video chat, and other multi-functional interactive websites. It serves as the primary management method and speech rules for these platforms. Since 2010, it has been increasingly upgraded to a new term specifically for the internet.
“Spoken language,” commonly known as speaking, encompasses all forms of speech, regardless of whether it is a native language or another language, or whether it is a dialect or standard written language. “Speaking,” in a broad sense, includes all forms of speech (voice), including speech, conversation, discussion, communication, negotiation, conversation, chat, speech, ideas, opinions, speeches, lectures, broadcasts, and phone calls, as well as the expression of opinions or arguments, and the presentation of suggestions or proposals. “Text” refers to physical content produced through the use of visual forms such as letters, symbols, and words, beyond spoken language, and through various means, including writing tools, crafts, printing equipment (such as copiers, printers, and fax machines), computer keyboard input methods, handwriting input methods, voice input methods, mobile phone keypad input methods, and other methods.
Blocking refers to the situation in which people, while enjoying the services of a website, are subject to restrictions and limitations imposed by website administrators for violating the basic rules stipulated in the user registration agreement and other professional speech rules. These restrictions include the use of online programs to filter sensitive keywords, degrade users, or block language, thereby controlling their access and imposing varying degrees of penalties. “Blocking” in this context refers to the basic content listed in the “Blocking Rules” section below. In fact, when registering a username (such as an email address), formatting errors may appear when the username (account or ID) and nickname are not filled in according to the registration instructions. This is the basic application of blocking.