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
How an airport is run—along with its layout, local weather, and air traffic control constraints—can matter just as much, if not more.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 26 Feb. 2026
The economy consists of a vast array of physical, relational, and supervisory tasks fraught with coordination frictions and liability constraints that algorithms cannot easily navigate.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026
Financing remains a major constraint in a region that pays some of the highest electricity costs in the hemisphere.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
First, there’s Araminta (Katie Leung) and her vendetta against Sophie, then there’s the social constraints of the time that prevent them from marrying across class, as Benedict is a gentleman while Sophie is a maid.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for constraint
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Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 26 Feb. 2026
The economy consists of a vast array of physical, relational, and supervisory tasks fraught with coordination frictions and liability constraints that algorithms cannot easily navigate.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026
Financing remains a major constraint in a region that pays some of the highest electricity costs in the hemisphere.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
First, there’s Araminta (Katie Leung) and her vendetta against Sophie, then there’s the social constraints of the time that prevent them from marrying across class, as Benedict is a gentleman while Sophie is a maid.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 26 Feb. 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 4 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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