constraint

noun

con·​straint kən-ˈstrānt 

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

a life of invalidism and constraint

c

: a constraining condition, agency, or force : check

put legal constraints on the board's activities

Budget constraints have forced me to revise my travel plans.

2

a

: repression of one's own feelings, behavior, or actions

emotional constraint

b

: a sense of being constrained : embarrassment

"… a constraint between us as if we were strangers …"

—John P. Marquand

Synonyms of constraint

• restraint
• discipline
• repression
• inhibition
• suppression

Examples of constraint in a Sentence

Lack of funding has been a major constraint on the building's design.

They demand freedom from constraint.

They refuse to work under constraint any longer.

Recent Examples on the Web

Eckstein said the strong shekel raises costs in dollar terms, but Tel Aviv’s high cost of living is primarily due to domestic policy and supply constraints, not just on the exchange rate itself. — Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 19 July 2026

Newcastle cannot reach the top as quickly as initially hoped post-takeover, given the financial constraints. — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 18 July 2026

In Texas, risks were primarily driven by transmission constraints. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 18 July 2026

Unlike prior boom-and-bust semiconductor cycles, today’s AI buildout continues to be defined by supply constraints, long-term customer commitments, and relentless demand for compute. — Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 18 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French constrainte, from constraindre — see constrain

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for constraint

• acquaint
• complaint
• distraint
• repaint
• restraint
• faint
• feint
• maint
• paint
• plaint
• quaint
• saint

Kids Definition

constraint

noun

con·​straint kən-ˈstrānt 

1

: the act of constraining : the state of being constrained

2

: something that constrains : check

3

: a holding back of one's feelings, actions, or behavior