Origin: Latin suffix -ence
Silence has 9 different meanings across 3 categories:
the state of being silent (as when no one is speaking)
"there was a shocked silence"
"he gestured for silence"
the trait of keeping things secret
"Her silence about the accident protected her friend's reputation, though it left many wondering what really happened."
The absence of any sound.
"After the concert ended, the auditorium was filled with a profound silence."
keep from expression, for example by threats or pressure
"All dissenters were silenced when the dictator assumed power"
To make (someone or something) silent.
"The loud noise finally silenced the noisy crowd."
In plain English: To silence someone means to make them stop talking by using force, authority, or loud noise.
"Please silence your phone during the meeting so we can focus on our discussion."
Be silent.
"The librarian asked everyone to be silent while she organized the books."
The word "silence" entered Middle English via the Old French silence and Latin silentium, originally meaning a state of being quiet or silent. It eventually replaced the earlier native Old English words for silence, such as swīġe.