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
Matthew Arnolda 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
John P. MarquandExamples 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
The strategy has shown measurable results in Stockton despite challenges sustaining the program amid budget constraints, leadership changes and pandemic disruptions, according to a study by criminologist Anthony Braga of the University of Pennsylvania and four colleagues.
—Cathie Anderson, Sacbee.com, 13 Dec. 2025
Usha Vance is confident and self-assured but is very much a woman who’s still coming to grips with her desire to live a somewhat normal life and the constraints of being married to one of the Republican Party’s most promising politicians.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 13 Dec. 2025
Chief Financial Officer Sarah Friar has repeatedly said that the company’s only constraint was finding more computing capacity.
—Neil Callanan, Fortune, 12 Dec. 2025
Within those constraints, childlore offers kids an opportunity to develop and control a local culture.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for constraint
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Cathie Anderson, Sacbee.com, 13 Dec. 2025
Usha Vance is confident and self-assured but is very much a woman who’s still coming to grips with her desire to live a somewhat normal life and the constraints of being married to one of the Republican Party’s most promising politicians.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 13 Dec. 2025
Chief Financial Officer Sarah Friar has repeatedly said that the company’s only constraint was finding more computing capacity.
—Neil Callanan, Fortune, 12 Dec. 2025
Within those constraints, childlore offers kids an opportunity to develop and control a local culture.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for constraint
Cite this Entry
“Constraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/constraint. Accessed 18 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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