constraint

[ kuhn-streynt ]

noun

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

constraint

/ 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

Other Words From

• noncon·straint noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of constraint¹

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

Example Sentences

“They kept saying there was a time constraint, I had to make a decision,” she said.

From The Daily Beast

In short, Mr. Obama feels no constraint in faithfully executing the laws as written by the Congress.

From The Daily Beast

Gravity is transformed from the constraint that holds us dully to Earth into the power that lets us fly.

From The Daily Beast

Immigration is even less "easy", because the main constraint on foriegn doctors is not visas, but residency slots.

From The Daily Beast

We need to be prudent; in an era of budget constraint, I think it will turn out that little fixes will have the greatest payoff.

From The Daily Beast

In that case, Valerie, you shall suffer no constraint; you shall continue here as you have done.

From Project Gutenberg

Austerity banishes familiarity from family life and engenders constraint.

From Project Gutenberg

His gestures, his manner, showed trace of it in a certain constraint, a sort of hesitating distrust.

From Project Gutenberg

At lunch Susan, between Liosha and Jaffery, became the centre of attention and saved conversation from constraint.

From Project Gutenberg

So, after a little constraint and coldness, he began to stand in much the same relation to him as before.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• curb
• hindrance
• restraint