Main Entry:

con·straint

Pronunciation:

\kən-ˈstrānt\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Middle French constrainte, from constraindre

Date:

15th century

1 a: the act of constraining b: the state of being checked, restricted, or compelled to avoid or perform some action <the constraint and monotony of a monastic life — Matthew Arnold> c: a constraining condition, agency, or force : check <put legal constraints on the board's activities>2 a: repression of one's own feelings, behavior, or actions b: a sense of being constrained : embarrassment