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

Synonyms of restraint

• discipline
• repression
• inhibition
• suppression

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

However, without the financial resources to sign players without restraint, Barcelona are limited by an economic crisis affecting the entire club. — Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 22 July 2026

With nods to Argento and De Palma, Refn’s latest is one bold, bloody mindfuck, held together by Thatcher’s magnetism and restraint. — Marlow Stern, Variety, 22 July 2026

This is a level of restraint that many people have come to expect from the scientific community. — Joe Árvai, The Conversation, 22 July 2026

At his five prior court appearances, Burke was in restraints the whole time, with the bailiff cuffing him to his chair. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French restreinte, from restreindre

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing restraint

• head restraint
• kept/placed under restraint
• passive restraint
• prior restraint
• self-restraint
• under restraint

Rhymes for restraint

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

Kids 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)