constraint

[ kuhn-streynt ]

/ kənˈstreɪnt /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR constraint ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

limitation or restriction.

repression of natural feelings and impulses: to practice constraint.

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

something that constrains.

the act of constraining.

the condition of being constrained.

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

Nearby words

constitutionally, constitutive, constr., constrain, constrained, constraint, constrict, constriction, constriction ring, constrictive, constrictive pericarditis

Origin of constraint

1350–1400; Middle English constreinte < Middle French, noun use of feminine past participle of constreindre; see constrain

SYNONYMS FOR constraint

1 force, obligation, pressure.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR constraint ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

non·con·straint, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for constraint

In short, Mr. Obama feels no constraint in faithfully executing the laws as written by the Congress.
The ‘Defining Issue of Our Time’ Is Obama’s Constitutional Excesses|Ron Christie|January 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Gravity is transformed from the constraint that holds us dully to Earth into the power that lets us fly.
Skiing is Love at First Swoosh|David Frum|March 16, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The capital gains rate will never be a driver of investment, only a constraint upon it.
Capital Gains: Answering Krugman and Bernstein|David Frum|January 23, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Well, the other constraint is the amount of information available.
The Other Social Network|David Kirkpatrick|September 29, 2010|DAILY BEAST

That seems obvious, but the constraint it puts on good policy is enormous.
Does Obama Have a Plan B?|Adam S. Posen|March 29, 2009|DAILY BEAST
And now I noticed he was under a constraint very different from the ease of the others.
The Virginian|Owen Wister
And, to cover her constraint, she cried out: "Oh, what a lovely book!"
Hilda Lessways|Arnold Bennett
Constrained by childish respect, he is nevertheless already working at "freeing" himself from this constraint.
The Ego and His Own|Max Stirner
There was a look of constraint in his blue eyes as he greeted her.
The Proud Prince|Justin Huntly McCarthy
The Company commands that no constraint be put upon its poor maids.
By order of the company|Mary Johnston

British Dictionary definitions for constraint

constraint

/ (kənˈstreɪnt) /

noun

compulsion, force, or restraint

repression or control of natural feelings or impulses

a forced unnatural manner; inhibition

something that serves to constrain; restrictive conditionsocial constraints kept him silent

linguistics any very general restriction on a sentence formation rule

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012