constraint

American  

[kuhn-streynt] / kənˈstreɪnt /

noun

• constraints
  plural

1. limitation or restriction.

   Synonyms:

   pressure, obligation, force

2. repression of natural feelings and impulses.

   to practice constraint.

3. unnatural restraint in manner, conversation, etc.; embarrassment.

4. something that constrains.

5. the act of constraining.

6. the condition of being constrained.

7. Linguistics. a restriction on the operation of a linguistic rule or the occurrence of a linguistic construction.

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constraint British  

/ kənˈstreɪnt /

noun

1. compulsion, force, or restraint

2. repression or control of natural feelings or impulses

3. a forced unnatural manner; inhibition

4. something that serves to constrain; restrictive condition

   social constraints kept him silent

5. linguistics any very general restriction on a sentence formation rule

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonconstraint
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• constraints
  plural

Etymology

Origin of constraint

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English constreinte, from Middle French, noun use of feminine past participle of constreindre “to constrain”; see constrain

Explanation

A constraint is a limit or restriction. Hopefully your school won't cut the sports or music programs due to budget constraints! You might notice that constraint is similar to the verb constrict, as in boa constrictor. A constraint tightens around you like a snake and prevents you from doing what you want. Financial constraints prevent you from buying the latest electronic device. Are you tired of living under the constraint of your parents' rules? Sometimes your worries or feelings act as a constraint. You know that someone has become a close friend when you can talk to them without constraint.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

constraint constraints

Governments have responded to this mathematical constraint by choosing which principle they are prepared to weaken.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 2, 2026

“The Commission found that streaming platforms offering children’s content will continue to act as a competitive constraint on the merged entity’s TV channels,” the agency said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026

Perhaps more concerning for the industry, though, a spread of moratoria could add a constraint to an already scarce market for data-center sites that have adequate access to power, water and other resources.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026

The loser of Humphrey’s Executor was Franklin D. Roosevelt, and 15 presidents of both parties operated under its constraint.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 30, 2026

“I must not touch you,” he said, with extreme constraint; saying that he looked away.

From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin

"The recovery in growth rates, which was already recorded in March, continues despite ongoing external pressure and constraints in certain sectors," said Russia's economy minister Maxim Reshetnikov.

From Barron's ● Aug. 12, 2026

It did not make any reference to Ukraine's attacks but said it was "taking into account current logistical constraints".

From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026

Beyond the Middle East, traditional exporters of fuel like China and Russia also face constraints.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 11, 2026

Revenue growth was driven by market capacity constraints supporting the express and air freight units.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026

Or perhaps, in the end, Maria was simply too independent-minded to tolerate the constraints of seventeenth-century marriage.

From "The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian's Art Changed Science" by Joyce Sidman

Related Words

• curb
• hindrance
• restraint