constraint

American  

[kuhn-streynt] / kənˈstreɪnt /

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.

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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

• nonconstraint noun

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”; constrain

Example Sentences

When all constraints on the use of force are removed, chaos prevails.

From The Wall Street Journal

Woodrow Wilson jailed war critics, put enemy aliens under tight constraints, and prohibited the dissemination of antiwar materials through the mail.

From The Wall Street Journal

For much of the past decade, private markets have gained share as regulatory constraints limited banks’ lending capacity.

From MarketWatch

Morgan Stanley’s commodity strategists have noted “ongoing constraints.”

From MarketWatch

Supply constraints are intensifying due to rising fuel costs and the hurricane season, providing near-term support for the black metal, Nanhua Futures analysts say in a research note.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• curb
• hindrance
• restraint