Definition of restraint
1a : an act of restraining : the state of being restrainedb (1) : a means of restraining : a restraining force or influence (2) : a device that restricts movement a restraint for children riding in cars
2 : a control over the expression of one's emotions or thoughts
From the M-W Editors
Examples of restraint in a Sentence
Make sure the child safety restraint is in place.
The prisoner was placed in restraints.
His angry response showed a lack of restraint.
The government has acted with restraint in dealing with this crisis.
Recent Examples of restraint from the Web
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He was also charged with domestic battery and unlawful restraint.
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Two were in child restraint seats, two were not, police said.
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The result of such a shift in relations is likely to be a more independent Europe, very likely led by a robust Germany increasingly unencumbered by the restraints of World War II memories, some experts say.
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Several tweets from the demonstration showed Barber being escorted in plastic hand restraints, as well as numerous protesters being blocked from entering the state legislator's offices.
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An NAACP leader and the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada have called for Las Vegas police to stop using a neck restraint that can render suspects unconscious.
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Obama’s restraint was in keeping with an over-all preference for caution, which often rankled leading generals at the Pentagon.
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The staff performed an Aikido restraint hold to safely conduct a pat-down search and remove the youth’s hoodie.
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Restraints can range from, yes, Christian Grey’s neckties, to handcuffs and elaborate rope-tying (called shibari), to even straight jackets.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'restraint'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of restraint
Middle English, from Anglo-French restreinte, from restreindre
First Known Use: 15th century
RESTRAINT Defined for English Language Learners
restraint
playDefinition of restraint for English Language Learners
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: a way of limiting, controlling, or stopping something
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: a device that limits a person's movement
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: control over your emotions or behavior
RESTRAINT Defined for Kids
restraint
playDefinition of restraint for Students
1 : the act of stopping or holding back : the state of being stopped or held back
2 : a force or influence that stops or holds back
3 : control over thoughts or feelings You're angry, but show restraint.
Medical Dictionary
Law Dictionary
restraint
playLegal Definition of restraint
1a : an act or fact of restraining — see also prior restraint b : the state of being restrained
2a : a means of restraining b : a device that restricts movement (as of prisoners or violent psychiatric patients)
Learn More about restraint
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See words that rhyme with restraint Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for restraint Spanish Central: Translation of restraint Nglish: Translation of restraint for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of restraint for Arabic speakers
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