constraint

noun

con·​straint kən-ˈstrānt How to pronounce constraint (audio)
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

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 on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Greater Robustness And Reliability: Better equipped to handle out-of-distribution data and novel scenarios safely and reliably by incorporating safety parameters, constraints and logical invariants. Anuradha Weeraman, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025 But as a two-term governor in a blue state, Pritzker has the luxury of not having to make a choice under the usual constraints of seeking a political advantage, said Robin Johnson, a governmental relations, public policy and political consultant. Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025 Although the Magic run the risk of losing both in free agency, declining the options gives the team the opportunity to negotiate cap-friendly deals as well as create more space below the first apron, one of the league’s financial constraints under the fairly new collective bargaining agreement. Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 June 2025 But this simply can't happen given the engineering constraints of their Mars sample return mission as publicly presented. Leonard David, Space.com, 29 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for constraint

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French constrainte, from constraindre — see constrain

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of constraint was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Constraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/constraint. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

constraint

noun
con·​straint kən-ˈstrānt How to pronounce constraint (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on constraint

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