constriction

American  

[kuhn-strik-shuhn] / kənˈstrɪk ʃən /

noun

1. the act of constricting.

2. the state of being constricted; tightness or inward pressure.

   Synonyms:

   stricture, contraction, compression

3. a constricted part.

4. something that constricts.

5. Phonetics. an articulated narrowing of the vocal tract that in consonants audibly obstructs the flow of air and in vowels defines an interconnection between or among resonance cavities.

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constriction British  

/ kənˈstrɪkʃən /

noun

1. a feeling of tightness in some part of the body, such as the chest

2. the act of constricting or condition of being constricted

3. something that is constricted

4. genetics a localized narrow region of a chromosome, esp at the centromere

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Other Word Forms

• constrictive adjective
• constrictively adverb
• constrictiveness noun

Etymology

Origin of constriction

1350–1400; Middle English < Late Latin constrīctiōn- (stem of constrīctiō ), equivalent to Latin constrīct ( us ) ( constrict ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

“It is expected that there will be no pain, but there may be a feeling of constriction about the chest,” read the directions.

From Literature

“The president knows, and he and I have talked about the constrictions of the Constitution, as much as so many of the American people lament that,” Johnson said.

From Salon

The constrictions of the festival slot meant sadly there was no room for Roan's trademark banter.

From BBC

For almost five years, the entertainment industry has been beset, first by the pandemic, then by the writers’ and actors’ strikes and the constriction that followed.

From Los Angeles Times

And that does feel like a bit of a backslide because of the constriction of this industry right now.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• narrowing