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
The lunar environment itself is exceptionally harsh, presenting significant engineering challenges for designing a vehicle that can operate reliably, while still meeting NASA’s accelerated deployment timelines and tighter constraints.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 22 May 2026
Recent research by ManpowerGroup underscores the scale of this constraint, with 72% of employers globally reporting difficulty filling roles as demand for AI capabilities outpaces supply.
—Tom Hood, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
Battling the constraints of his equipment, these songs rest on the strength of Maine’s unexpected rhymes and knack for song structure.
—Arielle Gordon, Pitchfork, 22 May 2026
Players must adapt to the draw of the cards to meet unique quest constraints.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for constraint
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Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 22 May 2026
Recent research by ManpowerGroup underscores the scale of this constraint, with 72% of employers globally reporting difficulty filling roles as demand for AI capabilities outpaces supply.
—Tom Hood, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
Battling the constraints of his equipment, these songs rest on the strength of Maine’s unexpected rhymes and knack for song structure.
—Arielle Gordon, Pitchfork, 22 May 2026
Players must adapt to the draw of the cards to meet unique quest constraints.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for constraint
Cite this Entry
“Constraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/constraint. Accessed 26 May. 2026.
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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