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
Chip companies like Broadcom have faced a number of headwinds in recent months, including a shortage of the high bandwidth memory crucial for custom accelerators, and capacity constraints at the most advanced levels of chip manufacturing and packaging.
—Katie Tarasov, CNBC, 5 Mar. 2026
In hindsight, a new expansion exploring the constraints on the next generation feels like the Handmaid’s franchise’s only logical response to the current political landscape.
—Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 5 Mar. 2026
While Castillo’s work expands from within the constraints of domestic space, another artist in the exhibition relies on fragments of public imagery.
—Miguel Sirgado, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2026
Prices can vary depending on the departure point, the type of aircraft and the route constraints, said Ameerh Naran, CEO of Vimana Private Jets.
—Stefanie Dazio, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for constraint
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Katie Tarasov, CNBC, 5 Mar. 2026
In hindsight, a new expansion exploring the constraints on the next generation feels like the Handmaid’s franchise’s only logical response to the current political landscape.
—Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 5 Mar. 2026
While Castillo’s work expands from within the constraints of domestic space, another artist in the exhibition relies on fragments of public imagery.
—Miguel Sirgado, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2026
Prices can vary depending on the departure point, the type of aircraft and the route constraints, said Ameerh Naran, CEO of Vimana Private Jets.
—Stefanie Dazio, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 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 7 Mar. 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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