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
After George Floyd was killed in 2020, many police departments across the country banned or restricted the knee-on-neck restraint.
—
Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 27 May 2025
Rickson stages both plays with elegant restraint, arranging just a few bits of furniture in front of a bare brick wall.
—Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 22 May 2025
With independent film, you can get hemmed in by financial restraints and sometimes the scheduling suffers.
—Rachel Handler, Vulture, 21 May 2025
There are both fewer restraints and fewer protections.
—Ryan D. Griffiths, Foreign Affairs, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for restraint
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Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 27 May 2025
Rickson stages both plays with elegant restraint, arranging just a few bits of furniture in front of a bare brick wall.
—Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 22 May 2025
With independent film, you can get hemmed in by financial restraints and sometimes the scheduling suffers.
—Rachel Handler, Vulture, 21 May 2025
There are both fewer restraints and fewer protections.
—Ryan D. Griffiths, Foreign Affairs, 20 May 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 3 Jun. 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)
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