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.

---

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

---

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

Example Sentences

Meanwhile, shipping through Hormuz remains severely restricted, with persistent attacks continuing to disrupt the region.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

In the case of SpaceX, this flipping strategy may not be restricted to well-connected hedge funds.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

The director of collections at NMNI, William Blair, said until now access to the archive had been restricted to academics and researchers.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

Beck also voluntarily forfeited and cancelled 392,155 restricted stock units.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

After that he got louder and not so funny—and it ends up I’m restricted for three days.”

From "The Egypt Game" by Zilpha Keatley Snyder

Related Words

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