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
More generalized assistants, of the sort envisioned by Altman, would require agents to leave the comfortable constraints of the terminal.
—Cal Newport, New Yorker, 27 Dec. 2025
Silver’s rally showed little sign of slowing, with prices that broke above $75 an ounce amid acute supply constraints in Asian markets.
—Benzinga, Freep.com, 27 Dec. 2025
This reliance can limit export approvals and impose operational constraints during maintenance and overhaul cycles.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 26 Dec. 2025
And gone is the need to get permission to use the work, along with constraints like licensing fees and usage restrictions.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for constraint
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Cal Newport, New Yorker, 27 Dec. 2025
Silver’s rally showed little sign of slowing, with prices that broke above $75 an ounce amid acute supply constraints in Asian markets.
—Benzinga, Freep.com, 27 Dec. 2025
This reliance can limit export approvals and impose operational constraints during maintenance and overhaul cycles.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 26 Dec. 2025
And gone is the need to get permission to use the work, along with constraints like licensing fees and usage restrictions.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 Dec. 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 30 Dec. 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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