stricture

noun

stric·​ture ˈstrik-chər 

1

a

: an abnormal narrowing of a bodily passage

also : the narrowed part

b

: a constriction of the breath passage in the production of a speech sound

2

: something that closely restrains or limits : restriction

moral strictures

3

: an adverse criticism : censure

Did you know?

Stricture has meant many things through the centuries, and its "restriction" meaning—probably the most common one today—is actually the most recent. High-school teachers often put strictures on texting during class. Cities concerned about their murder rate have slapped strictures on the possession of handguns. And the United Nations may vote to put strictures on arms sales to a country that keeps violating international treaties. With the meaning "strong criticism", stricture is slightly old-fashioned today, but it's still used by intellectuals. So, for example, an article may amount to a harsh stricture on the whole medical profession, or an art review may just express the critic's strictures on sentimental paintings of cute little houses with glowing windows.

Synonyms

• censure
• commination
• condemnation
• denunciation
• excoriation
• objurgation
• rebuke
• reprimand
• reproach
• reproof
• riot act

Examples of stricture in a Sentence

the church's strictures on the morals and mores of contemporary society

the new zoning strictures effectively make further development along the riverfront commercially unviable

Recent Examples on the Web

Trump has been bristling at the stricture ever since, violating the order more than a half-dozen times, and, on Tuesday, was found in contempt. —Eric Lach, The New Yorker, 4 May 2024

Since that contentious vote, however, the denomination’s makeup has changed, in large part because of conservative congregations departing in anticipation of the loosening of strictures around homosexuality that are becoming official this week. —Ruth Graham, New York Times, 1 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin strictura, from Latin strictus, past participle

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

stricture

noun

stric·​ture ˈstrik-chər 

1

: an abnormal narrowing of a bodily passage

also : the narrowed part

2

: a negative criticism : censure

Medical Definition

stricture

noun

stric·​ture ˈstrik-chər 

: an abnormal narrowing of a bodily passage (as from inflammation, cancer, or the formation of scar tissue)

esophageal stricture

also : the narrowed part