constriction

[kuhn-strik-shuhn]

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.

constriction

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• constrictively adverb
• constrictiveness noun
• constrictive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of constriction¹

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.

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“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.

Read more on Salon

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

Read more on BBC

He cited the president's fixation on tariffs and "constrictions on free enterprise, price controls, trade barriers and whatnot — cartelization of the economy, many very bad things."

Read more on Salon

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.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• narrowing www.thesaurus.com