Definition of constraint
1a : the act of constrainingb : the state of being checked, restricted, or compelled to avoid or perform some action … the constraint and monotony of a monastic life … — Matthew Arnold a life of invalidism and constraintc : 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.
2a : repression of one's own feelings, behavior, or actions emotional constraintb : a sense of being constrained : embarrassment “ … a constraint between us as if we were strangers … ” — John P. Marquand
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Examples 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 of constraint from the Web
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In the face of such constraints, Pakistan’s public life remains remarkably vibrant.
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Proving that bacon is bigger than breakfast and that no conventional time constraint can contain it, the festival doesn’t start until noon.
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Department of Corrections spokesman Bob Horton said because of budget constraints, DOC plans to spend far less, $7.6 million over two years.
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In the late 1980s, Trump and his first wife, Ivana, considered potential sites for a project, but a deal never resulted, Trump said at the time, because of constraints on private ownership of properties.
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Of course, land cost constraints also mean seeing higher density housing to meet those needs.
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Mary says that although more people are becoming interested in the art of food preservation, some feel overwhelmed by equipment needs or time constraints.
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The subject matter is not Schutz’s; white free speech and white creative freedom have been founded on the constraint of others, and are not natural rights.
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But CUNY, which faces severe financial constraints and state and federal investigations into its spending practices, still paid $27,000 to be a parade sponsor — enough to cover a year’s tuition for four students.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'constraint.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of constraint
Middle English, from Middle French constrainte, from constraindre —see constrain
CONSTRAINT Defined for English Language Learners
constraint
playDefinition of constraint for English Language Learners
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: something that limits or restricts someone or something
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: control that limits or restricts someone's actions or behavior
CONSTRAINT Defined for Kids
constraint
playDefinition of constraint for Students
1 : control that limits or restricts The committee refused to act under constraint.
2 : something that limits or restricts money constraints
Learn More about constraint
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See words that rhyme with constraint Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for constraint Spanish Central: Translation of constraint Nglish: Translation of constraint for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of constraint for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about constraint
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