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

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.

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

Synonyms of constraint

• restraint
• discipline
• repression
• inhibition
• suppression

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

Strategic stockpiles are held separately by each IEA member country, meaning technical and logistical constraints could slow the flow of barrels. —Sam Meredith,lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2026

Legal constraints and institutional troubles are all slowing deployment, Anthropic said. —Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2026

Let’s enter a homosexual dalliance free from the constraints of body and society—no worries if not! —Reanna Cruz, Pitchfork, 12 Mar. 2026

The limits of standalone offshore trusts Standalone offshore trusts carry inherent constraints. —Ascend Agency, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French constrainte, from constraindre — see constrain

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for constraint

• acquaint
• complaint
• distraint
• enceinte
• repaint
• restraint
• faint
• feint
• maint
• paint
• plaint
• quaint

Kids 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