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restrict

American  
[ri-strikt] / rɪˈstrɪkt /

verb (used with object)

restricts, present (3rd person singular) restricted, past participle, past restricting present participle
  1. to confine or keep within limits, as of space, action, choice, intensity, or quantity.

    Synonyms:
    obstruct, impede, hinder, hamper, block, check, abridge, restrain, limit, confine, circumscribe
    Antonyms:
    surpass, exceed

restrict British  
/ rɪˈstrɪkt /

verb

  1. (often foll by to) to confine or keep within certain often specified limits or selected bounds

    to restrict one's drinking to the evening

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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Etymology

Origin of restrict

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin restrictus “drawn back, tightened, bound, reserved,” adjective use of past participle of restringere “to bind back, bind fast”; see restrain

Explanation

To restrict is to limit. If you want to eat more healthily, you might restrict, or limit, yourself to eating only foods containing fruits and vegetables –- like carrot cake and apple pie. You'll often encounter different words related to restrict. A restriction is a law or rule, like the restriction against driving a car without a license. Something that is not permitted is restricted, and this word is often used to designate physical locations that are off limits to the public. You'll often see characters in movies break into restricted areas to obtain secret information.

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Vocabulary lists containing restrict

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.

President Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, is stoked about the Restrict Act.

From Salon • Apr. 2, 2023

Restrict social media and offer more mental health resources in schools, Jean Twenge writes in Time.

From New York Times • Feb. 19, 2023

Restrict plantings under trees and shrubs to bulbs or other low-growing flowering plants and regularly dispose of dead leaves and other dry plant debris.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 20, 2018

Restrict the domain to find the inverse of a polynomial function.

From Textbooks • Feb. 13, 2015

Restrict your treatment of his objections to points, means, and methods that will keep his ideas from switching onto side-tracks of thought.

From Certain Success by Hawkins, Norval A.

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