restricted

American  

[ri-strik-tid] / rɪˈstrɪk tɪd /

adjective

1. confined; limited.

2. (of information, a document, etc.)

   1. bearing the classification restricted, usually the lowest level of classified information.

   2. limited to persons authorized to use information, documents, etc., so classified.

3. limited to or admitting only members of a particular group or class.

   a restricted neighborhood; a restricted hotel.

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restricted British  

/ rɪˈstrɪktɪd /

adjective

1. limited or confined

2. not accessible to the general public or ( esp US ) out of bounds to military personnel

3. denoting or in a zone in which a speed limit or waiting restrictions for vehicles apply

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Other Word Forms

• nonrestricted
  adjective
• nonrestrictedly
  adverb
• restrictedly
  adverb
• restrictedness
  noun
• self-restricted
  adjective
• unrestricted
  adjective
• unrestrictedly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of restricted

First recorded in 1820–30; restrict + -ed ²

Explanation

Have you ever seen a door labeled Restricted? If so, you probably know it means "Stay out." A restricted area can only be entered by certain people. Anything labeled restricted is not public. Restricted things are private, and only certain people who are authorized can access or use those things. Anything restricted is subject to more rules. In sports, a restricted free agent has to worry about more rules than an unrestricted free agent. Something or someone restricted has to deal with restrictions, which are rules or laws that set limits.

Example Sentences

A department spokesperson confirmed Thursday that several employees had been placed on restricted duties, meaning they are temporarily prohibited from most public contact pending the outcome of the investigation.

From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2026

Ordinary North Koreans have very restricted access to information from the outside world including fashion trends, making the country's leader an unlikely fashion icon.

From BBC • May 5, 2026

“We have told these Countries that we will guide their Ships safely out of these restricted Waterways, so that they can freely and ably get on with their business,” he said.

From MarketWatch • May 3, 2026

Roblox attributed slower growth to new age-check measures that restricted communication for non-age-checked users.

From Barron's • May 1, 2026

Greg Lippmann was paid $47 million in 2007, although $24 million of it was in restricted stock that he could not collect unless he hung around Deutsche Bank for a few more years.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis

Related Words

• barred
• blocked
• closed
• confined
• controlled
• defined
• deprived
• prescribed
• reduced
• restrained
• secured
• shortened
• tethered