restriction

noun

re·​stric·​tion ri-ˈstrik-shən 

1

: something that restricts: such as

a

: a regulation that restricts or restrains

restrictions for hunters

b

: a limitation on the use or enjoyment of property or a facility

2

: an act of restricting : the condition of being restricted

Synonyms of restriction

• limitation
• constraint

Examples of restriction in a Sentence

Building in that area came with some restrictions.

They placed restrictions on smoking indoors.

They will lift export restrictions.

illegal restriction of free speech

Recent Examples on the Web

Despite the restrictions, Chinese companies like DeepSeek and Alibaba have produced world class AI models and companies like Huawei have made rapid progress in producing hardware to fill the void left by the export restrictions. —Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 8 Dec. 2025

After seventeen books were removed, several other residents sued on First Amendment grounds, arguing that these books were being banned for content and thus represented a restriction of the freedom of expression. —Drew Broussard, Literary Hub, 8 Dec. 2025

But there has been some concerns that have been raised since then about the president's travel ban on 19 countries, which have either partial or full restrictions on those countries and the ability of people from those countries to be able to travel to the United States. —Dana Taylor, USA Today, 8 Dec. 2025

McCartney, 83, argued that the existing terminology is already clear to consumers and that additional restrictions would only hinder progress toward more sustainable eating. —Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 8 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English restriccioun, from Anglo-French restriction, from Late Latin restriction-, restrictio, from Latin restringere

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing restriction

• restriction enzyme
• restriction fragment length polymorphism

Rhymes for restriction

• addiction
• affliction
• constriction
• conviction
• depiction
• eviction
• infliction
• nonfiction
• prediction
• antifriction
• benediction
• contradiction

Kids Definition

restriction

noun

re·​stric·​tion ri-ˈstrik-shən 

1

: something (as a law or rule) that restricts

2

: an act of restricting : the condition of being restricted

Medical Definition

restriction

noun

re·​stric·​tion ri-ˈstrik-shən 

often attributive

: the breaking of double-stranded DNA into fragments by restriction enzymes

restriction sites

Legal Definition

restriction

noun

re·​stric·​tion

1

: something that restricts: as

a

: a regulation that restricts or restrains

b

: a limitation on the use or enjoyment of property or a facility

2

a

: an act of restricting

b

: the state of being restricted