re ‧ pres ‧ sion /rɪˈpreʃ ə n/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable and countable]
1 . when someone does not allow themselves to express feelings or desires which they are ashamed of, especially sexual ones – used when you think someone should express these feelings:
sexual repression
repression of
the repression of desire
2 . cruel and severe control of a large group of people ⇨ suppression , oppression
repression of
brutal repression of members of the Communist party