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

Raising interest rates to counter inflationary pressure does nothing to resolve those constraints.

From Barron's

China’s consumer sector entered 2026 facing a familiar set of constraints: cautious households, weak property-linked wealth effects, and intense price competition.

From Barron's

The competitive advantage from AI is real, but so are the constraints shaping how far platforms can push it.

From Barron's

The constraints fueling wild moves in silver prices are financial as well as physical.

From The Wall Street Journal

Chief Executive Tim Cook mentioned the problem in a Thursday earnings call, saying Apple was seeing constraints in its chip supplies and that memory prices were increasing significantly.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• curb
• hindrance
• restraint