constraint

noun

con·straint | \ kən-ˈstrānt

Definition of constraint

1a : 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.

2a : 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

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about constraint

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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 Although that nuts-and-bolts stage receives less attention than the process of making the vaccine itself, it has been identified for years as a constraint on production. — Noah Weiland, BostonGlobe.com, "Moderna’s simple fix to vaccine supply: more doses in each vial," 2 Feb. 2021 That nuts-and-bolts stage receives less attention than the process of making the vaccine itself, but it has been identified for years as a constraint on production. — New York Times, "Biden and Drug Makers Look to Speed Coronavirus Vaccine Deliveries," 2 Feb. 2021 This weakside option concept is a constraint built into the play in case the defense plays man-to-man or sends a blitz – these are considered ‘alert’ and ‘hot’ throws. — cleveland, "Previewing the Ohio State-Alabama CFP Championship: Jimmies and Joes vs. X’s and O’s," 6 Jan. 2021 To Nordstrum, who enjoys the creative challenge posed by restrictions, the coronavirus is, like winter’s cold temperatures, just another constraint. — Rachel Hutton, Star Tribune, "Minnesota's expanded Great Northern festival is a 'bright light' for the winter ahead," 23 Nov. 2020 That constraint on the user base seems to have limited the interest from game publishers in developing games for VR. — Washington Post, "The biggest questions facing the gaming world in 2021," 30 Dec. 2020 For people with life-limiting illnesses, time is less of a nebulous concept than a pressing constraint; there are fewer chances for do-overs. — Andrew Joseph, STAT, "‘There’s no back to normal’: For people with terminal illnesses, time lost to Covid-19 can’t be made up," 23 Dec. 2020 But in key situations, finding the optimal move can require a level of forethought that is beyond the capacity of most humans working with a time constraint. — Andrew Beaton, WSJ, "The Real Queen’s Gambit: Catching Chess Cheaters," 9 Dec. 2020 The lack of funding is a key constraint for China's guide dog schools, Liang said. — Nectar Gan, CNN, "China has 8 million blind people, but only 200 guide dogs," 23 Nov. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'constraint.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.