constraint

noun con·straint \ kən-ˈstrānt \

Definition of constraint

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

a 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

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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

In the face of such constraints, Pakistan’s public life remains remarkably vibrant.

— The Economist, "The pushmi-pullyuWhat makes Pakistan so unfathomable," 22 July 2017
Proving that bacon is bigger than breakfast and that no conventional time constraint can contain it, the festival doesn’t start until noon.

— lisa beebe, Los Angeles Magazine, "The LA Bacon Festival Is This Saturday, In Case You’re Wondering What You’re Doing Saturday," 19 July 2017
Department of Corrections spokesman Bob Horton said because of budget constraints, DOC plans to spend far less, $7.6 million over two years.

— mike cason, AL.com, "Alabama prison system renewing contract for reentry program," 12 July 2017
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.

— megan twohey, The Seattle Times, "How the Miss Universe pageant led to Trump’s son meeting with a Russian lawyer," 10 July 2017
Of course, land cost constraints also mean seeing higher density housing to meet those needs.

— pat setter, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Building innovations, awards take center stage at PCBC," 1 July 2017
Mary says that although more people are becoming interested in the art of food preservation, some feel overwhelmed by equipment needs or time constraints.

— judy buchenot, Naperville Sun, "Family embraces farm-to-table lifestyle," 1 July 2017
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.

— danielle jackson, Longreads, "Zadie Smith Takes on Black Pain With a Light Touch," 28 June 2017
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.

— william neuman, New York Times, "Financially Ailing CUNY Spent Over $1 Million a Year on Parades and Charities," 25 June 2017

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

constraint Synonyms

Synonyms

continence, discipline, discretion, inhibition, refrainment, repression, reserve, restraint, self-command, self-control, self-restraint, suppression

Antonyms

disinhibition, incontinence, unconstraint

Near Antonyms

self-abandonment, uninhibitedness; unrestrainedness; gratification, indulgence, overindulgence, self-indulgence; bluntness, candor, frankness; immoderacy, intemperance

CONSTRAINT Defined for English Language Learners

constraint

noun

Definition of constraint for English Language Learners

: something that limits or restricts someone or something
: control that limits or restricts someone's actions or behavior

CONSTRAINT Defined for Kids

constraint

noun con·straint \ kən-ˈstrānt \

Definition 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

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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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CONSTRAINT Defined for English Language Learners

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