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 graphic novel format gave him the freedom to imagine without limitation—unbound by the logistical constraints of filmmaking.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 14 July 2025
Davis is a magnetic front man, and the Roadhouse Band is an intoxicatingly raucous live outfit, but the constraints of the setup suited his new material, which is suffused with listlessness and yearning, dark jokes and wordy disquisitions on desire.
—Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
While this role has traditionally been filled by artillery, drones are more economical, especially given the resource constraints currently facing Russian forces.
—Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
Perhaps, but if power is the key constraint won’t the AI geniuses be incented to work around it?
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for constraint
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Okla Jones, Essence, 14 July 2025
Davis is a magnetic front man, and the Roadhouse Band is an intoxicatingly raucous live outfit, but the constraints of the setup suited his new material, which is suffused with listlessness and yearning, dark jokes and wordy disquisitions on desire.
—Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
While this role has traditionally been filled by artillery, drones are more economical, especially given the resource constraints currently facing Russian forces.
—Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
Perhaps, but if power is the key constraint won’t the AI geniuses be incented to work around it?
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for constraint
Cite this Entry
“Constraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/constraint. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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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