restrict
Americanverb (used with object)
-
restricts,
present (3rd person singular)
-
restricted,
past participle, past
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restricting
present participle
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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restricternoun
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restrictornoun
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derestrictverb (used with object)
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overrestrictverb (used with object)
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prerestrictverb (used with object)
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nonrestrictingadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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restrictsimple
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restrictssimple
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have restrictedperfect
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has restrictedperfect
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am restrictingprogressive
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are restrictingprogressive
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is restrictingprogressive
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have been restrictingperfect progressive
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has been restrictingperfect progressive
Past
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restrictedsimple
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had restrictedperfect
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was restrictingprogressive
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were restrictingprogressive
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had been restrictingperfect progressive
Future
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.
Vocabulary lists containing restrict
Tier 2 Words for the SBAC ELA Items
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List 9
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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.
See Examples For:
As 39 states move to restrict cellphones in classrooms, the Evo is doubling down on what made the TI-84 a staple in classrooms, functioning as a distraction-free device that fulfills academic math needs.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 18, 2026
The company’s move to restrict key witnesses is newer.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 16, 2026
Alongside efforts to restrict access and harmful information, the researchers suggest that emergency services could take additional steps to reduce the consequences of sodium nitrite poisoning.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 15, 2026
A growing number of countries are taking steps to restrict social media access amid multiplying warnings over its harmful effects on children.
From Barron's ● Aug. 14, 2026
The instructions also suggested survivors restrict themselves to half a litre of water every twenty-four hours.
From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel
The United States restricts exports to China of the most cutting-edge silicon chips used to power artificial intelligence systems, designed by industry leader Nvidia.
From Barron's ● Jul. 28, 2026
In-game, most platforms and titles offer parental controls, and EA FC automatically restricts purchases on accounts belonging to players under 13.
From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026
Plus, the Pentagon will start screening servicemembers for low testosterone, and China restricts chatbot romances to boost birthrates.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 16, 2026
The budget includes a provision that restricts the maximum tax credit companies can claim in a given year to $5 million or 50% of a company’s tax state tax liability, whichever is greater.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026
“I shudder to think what that means. But perhaps it will limit Kronos’s power. For a time, at least, he is confined to a human form. It binds him together. Hopefully it also restricts him.”
From "The Battle of the Labyrinth" by Rick Riordan
Access to an airline’s top-tier airport lounge may be restricted or not included at all.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 13, 2026
At La Albufera National Park, a protected coastal wetland covering 21,000 hectares south of Valencia, officials have spent the past week turning away or ejecting unauthorized onlookers attempting to enter restricted areas.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 12, 2026
When electrons are restricted to a two-dimensional plane and interact strongly enough, they can begin behaving very differently from ordinary electrons.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 12, 2026
At the same time, Beijing also reportedly restricted travel for two of Manus' co-founders, preventing them from leaving China.
From Barron's ● Aug. 11, 2026
I got locks put on my windows and was restricted for a month.
From "The Freedom Writers Diary" by The Freedom Writers
Across South East Asia, authorities are looking at restricting social media use for minors, citing possible ill effects.
From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026
The findings suggest that a low-fat vegan diet can substantially reduce dietary energy density, allowing people to consume fewer calories and lose weight without intentionally restricting their calorie intake.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 17, 2026
"I do not believe restricting access to foreign open source models is an effective solution," he said.
From Barron's ● Aug. 10, 2026
“I do not believe restricting access to foreign open source models is an effective solution. Our goal should be for American open source models to be the best globally,” said Zuckerberg.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 10, 2026
Geographic isolation might have solved some of the “grey finch” problem—by restricting interbreeding between particular variants.
From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee
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.
