constraint

American  

[kuhn-straynt] / 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

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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

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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

"That put a constraint on the overall thickness of the magnetic material and thus, its ability to retain memory in the long term."

From Science Daily ● Oct. 27, 2026

While they said that the gap is “real” and a constraint to the buildout, they added that “many investors” are taking the view that companies will find creative ways around the bottlenecks.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 26, 2026

A software update removing the constraint on energy limits was issued by governing body the FIA during the subsequeby start delay to enable teams to resolve the issue.

From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2026

Chinese port congestion has eased but remains a constraint on available capacity, keeping rates higher.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 25, 2026

Incredibly, at this critical juncture in financial history, after which so much changed so quickly, the only constraint in the subprime mortgage market was a shortage of people willing to bet against it.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis

Nigeria's power sector has failed to produce at capacity due to ageing infrastructure, inadequate maintenance, gas supply constraints and funding challenges.

From BBC ● Nov. 12, 2026

A familiar landscape is painted: one of lame ducks, intraparty infighting, constitutional constraints, the return of institutional balance.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 9, 2026

"Even without doing the full calculation, we know that space-time needs to behave in a certain way, that it needs to satisfy those constraints."

From Science Daily ● Nov. 8, 2026

"Writers who were able to cut their teeth on fanfiction, and just write as much as they wanted with all the joy and no constraints, can lead to really great novels," she said.

From Barron's ● Nov. 7, 2026

But what is the optimum way, given severe constraints on size, cost and power requirements, to search for microbes on Mars?

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan

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Related Words

• curb
• hindrance
• restraint

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