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

The bottom line The Fed's latest rate cut brings the benchmark rate to its lowest level since 2022, a clear signal that monetary policy is shifting toward easing rather than restraint. —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2025

That means any whiff of restraint could weigh on equities. —Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 10 Dec. 2025

Car crashes are a leading cause of death for children, with many fatalities involving improper restraints. —Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 9 Dec. 2025

The suit says the combination of restraint, sedative use and pepper spray caused significant hypoxia, impaired ventilation, respiratory failure, cardiovascular instability and ultimately cardiopulmonary arrest. —Greg Wehner , Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 9 Dec. 2025

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
• enceinte
• repaint
• faint
• feint
• maint
• paint
• plaint
• quaint

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)