restraint
noun
re·straint
ri-ˈstrānt 
1
a
: an act of restraining : the state of being restrained
b(1)
: a means of restraining : a restraining force or influence
(2)
: a device that restricts movement
a restraint for children riding in cars
2
: a control over the expression of one's emotions or thoughts
Examples of restraint in a Sentence
Make sure the child safety restraint is in place.
The prisoner was placed in restraints.
His angry response showed a lack of restraint.
The government has acted with restraint in dealing with this crisis.
Recent Examples on the Web
The party, which was formed in 2010, shares Takaichi’s hardline approach to national security and immigration, in contrast with Komeito’s more pacifist restraint.
—
Chad De Guzman, Time, 21 Oct. 2025
Advocacy groups and legal representatives expressed concern over the use of restraints on minors, the transparency of the operation, and how long children were separated from family members.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
The only alternative to an eventual fiscal breakdown is to combine spending restraint with new revenue.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
The ship brings history and perhaps some English restraint to the world’s cruise capital.
—Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for restraint
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Chad De Guzman, Time, 21 Oct. 2025
Advocacy groups and legal representatives expressed concern over the use of restraints on minors, the transparency of the operation, and how long children were separated from family members.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
The only alternative to an eventual fiscal breakdown is to combine spending restraint with new revenue.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
The ship brings history and perhaps some English restraint to the world’s cruise capital.
—Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for restraint
Cite this Entry
“Restraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/restraint. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
restraint
noun
re·straint
ri-ˈstrānt
1
: the act of restraining : the state of being restrained
held in restraint
2
: a restraining force or influence
3
: control over one's behavior
act with restraint
Medical Definition
restraint
noun
re·straint
ri-ˈstrānt
: a device that restricts movement
restraints such as straitjackets for violent patients
Legal Definition
restraint
noun
re·straint
ri-ˈstrānt
1
a
: an act or fact of restraining see also prior restraint
b
: the state of being restrained
2
a
: a means of restraining
b
: a device that restricts movement (as of prisoners or violent psychiatric patients)
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share