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 Word Forms

• nonconstraint 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

Rejecting calls for a wealth tax and increases in borrowing to fund government spending, Sir Keir said he would not "cast off the constraints and indulge in ideological fantasy".

From BBC

“You would assume that the military has certain constraints that they would want to impose to protect their activities, but we just don’t know.”

From Los Angeles Times

Instead, the president’s performance is that of raw and corrupt power, and being freed from nearly all constraints on his behavior.

From Salon

"There's obviously financial constraints everywhere, but unless you recognise there's a problem – and a significant problem – you're not going to allocate healthcare," he said.

From BBC

But the unit has been hampered by legal constraints and has not been able to access any council data so far.

From BBC

Related Words

• curb 
• hindrance 
• restraint