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
Funding constraints and staffing shortages are real obstacles that don’t make headlines the way the big operations do.
—Cierra Morgan, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Eco effort Despite the constraints of the property’s 1960 construction and historic landmark status, the units have been modernized with on-demand hot water heaters and efficient mini-split heating and air-conditioning units to reduce fossil fuel use.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Feb. 2026
The beauty of his images, amid unnatural constraints, isn’t a matter of style but of natural force.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2026
Pop songs operate on a smaller scale than two-hour movies, and, despite those constraints, the liberties that Charli and Keane take in blending pop hooks and orchestral chaos gives their soundtrack album an impressive vastness.
—Harry Tafoya, Pitchfork, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for constraint
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Cierra Morgan, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Eco effort Despite the constraints of the property’s 1960 construction and historic landmark status, the units have been modernized with on-demand hot water heaters and efficient mini-split heating and air-conditioning units to reduce fossil fuel use.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Feb. 2026
The beauty of his images, amid unnatural constraints, isn’t a matter of style but of natural force.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2026
Pop songs operate on a smaller scale than two-hour movies, and, despite those constraints, the liberties that Charli and Keane take in blending pop hooks and orchestral chaos gives their soundtrack album an impressive vastness.
—Harry Tafoya, Pitchfork, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for constraint
Cite this Entry
“Constraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/constraint. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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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