restraint
noun
re·straint
ri-ˈstrānt 
1
a
: an act of restraining : the state of being restrained
b(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
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 on the Web
Still, that administration’s legal calling card was restraint, not activism.
—
Peter S. Canellos, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
This often meant using classical design principles like restraint, order and geometric harmony, and adapting them by either simplifying the elements or using locally available materials instead of the expensive marble and other stones favored by the ancients.
—Kevin D. Murphy, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2026
That reimagining is evident on arrival, not through spectacle, but through restraint.
—Amy Louise Bailey, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2026
The plaintiffs asked the court Wednesday for either a stay or preliminary injunction that would restore the previous restraints.
—ABC News, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for restraint
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Peter S. Canellos, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
This often meant using classical design principles like restraint, order and geometric harmony, and adapting them by either simplifying the elements or using locally available materials instead of the expensive marble and other stones favored by the ancients.
—Kevin D. Murphy, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2026
That reimagining is evident on arrival, not through spectacle, but through restraint.
—Amy Louise Bailey, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2026
The plaintiffs asked the court Wednesday for either a stay or preliminary injunction that would restore the previous restraints.
—ABC News, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for restraint
Cite this Entry
“Restraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/restraint. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
restraint
noun
re·straint
ri-ˈstrānt
1
: the act of restraining : the state of being restrained
held in restraint
2
: a restraining force or influence
3
: control over one's behavior
act with restraint
Medical Definition
restraint
noun
re·straint
ri-ˈstrānt
: a device that restricts movement
restraints such as straitjackets for violent patients
Legal Definition
restraint
noun
re·straint
ri-ˈstrānt
1
a
: an act or fact of restraining see also prior restraint
b
: the state of being restrained
2
a
: a means of restraining
b
: a device that restricts movement (as of prisoners or violent psychiatric patients)
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