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
In that case, if AI were said to be doing religious counseling when providing mental health advice, the AI maker would apparently be free of the constraint.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Those surcharges varied by trade lane last year and were most heavily based on Asia-to-U.S. flights as the company experienced capacity constraints.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 5 Aug. 2025
The Army declined to release information about Brown’s mental health history citing policy and privacy constraints.
—Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2025
There are many ways to take in the beauty of the national lakeshore, depending on your mobility level and time constraints.
—Katherine Lawless, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for constraint
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Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Those surcharges varied by trade lane last year and were most heavily based on Asia-to-U.S. flights as the company experienced capacity constraints.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 5 Aug. 2025
The Army declined to release information about Brown’s mental health history citing policy and privacy constraints.
—Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2025
There are many ways to take in the beauty of the national lakeshore, depending on your mobility level and time constraints.
—Katherine Lawless, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 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 14 Aug. 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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