constriction
Americannoun
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the act of constricting.
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the state of being constricted; tightness or inward pressure.
- Synonyms:
- stricture, contraction, compression
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a constricted part.
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something that constricts.
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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.
noun
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a feeling of tightness in some part of the body, such as the chest
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the act of constricting or condition of being constricted
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something that is constricted
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genetics a localized narrow region of a chromosome, esp at the centromere
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Researchers also observed additional disruptions in eye turning during accommodation and reduced effectiveness of eye blinks in triggering pupil constriction in myopic eyes.
From Science Daily • Feb. 19, 2026
The introduction of Turner somewhat cushions that constriction, but more so by the sights of Ellis-Taylor’s remarkable Hattie.
From Salon • Dec. 13, 2024
This strategy is a sign of constriction, but it’s also an indication that old habits and expectations have to give way to stringent new realities.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2024
The show unfurled with a model emerging from the shadows in a sinisterly twisted black laminated dress that seemed to swallow her hands whole — a striking image of constriction reappeared throughout the collection.
From Seattle Times • Mar. 3, 2024
“It is expected that there will be no pain, but there may be a feeling of constriction about the chest,” read the directions.
From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
