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
Not only has the move imposed financial constraints on the Colombian leader, but his official duties abroad have been affected, with multiple airports refusing to refuel his presidential plane due to the sanctions.
—Alfie Pannell, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
This operational discipline enabled the company to pursue projects with tight timelines or unusual spatial constraints, assignments that often commanded premium pricing due to their complexity and precision requirements.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
The Sony Pictures release earned $227 million and proved Wright could retain his style while operating within a studio’s constraints.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 6 Nov. 2025
With the city currently facing some financial constraints, Prologis’ project could generate around $30 million in annual general fund revenue from utility taxes and paying rent to the wastewater treatment facility.
—Devan Patel, Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for constraint
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Alfie Pannell, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
This operational discipline enabled the company to pursue projects with tight timelines or unusual spatial constraints, assignments that often commanded premium pricing due to their complexity and precision requirements.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
The Sony Pictures release earned $227 million and proved Wright could retain his style while operating within a studio’s constraints.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 6 Nov. 2025
With the city currently facing some financial constraints, Prologis’ project could generate around $30 million in annual general fund revenue from utility taxes and paying rent to the wastewater treatment facility.
—Devan Patel, Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for constraint
Cite this Entry
“Constraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/constraint. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.
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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