straitjacket

noun strait·jack·et \ ˈstrāt-ˌja-kət \

variants: or less commonly straightjacket

|Updated on: 7 Aug 2018

Definition of straitjacket

1 : a cover or overgarment of strong material (such as canvas) used to bind the body and especially the arms closely in restraining a violent prisoner or patient

2 : something that restricts or confines like a straitjacket

See straitjacket defined for English-language learners

See straitjacket defined for kids

Recent Examples of straitjacket from the Web

The show includes one of Houdini’s original brown leather straitjackets and a rare recording of the magician’s voice, which was higher and lighter than might be expected from a man with such an intimidating stare.

— mary carole mccauley, baltimoresun.com, "Behind the magic of Harry Houdini at the Jewish Museum of Maryland," 29 June 2018
Still, the Astros managed to writhe out of the straitjacket that entangled Morton.

— hunter atkins, Houston Chronicle, "Astros pick up messy win over Rangers, clinch series," 10 June 2018
With their offense failing to ignite, ’Nova grinded its way to the Final Four with grit, determination, and straitjacket defense that would have made late ’Nova coach Rollie Massimino proud.

— christopher l. gasper, BostonGlobe.com, "Villanova’s ugly win was truly something to behold," 26 Mar. 2018
And all ideas for a substantial budget to help countries in the straitjacket of the euro adjust to shocks have been rejected.

— The Economist, "Italy needs to be handled with care," 31 May 2018
Multiple bands of fabric across the body suggest a straitjacket.

— natalie pompilio, Philly.com, "This Moore student uses her fashion designs to cope with PTSD and the effects of abuse," 8 May 2018
This approach is not appreciated by his boyfriend, Louis Ironson (a terrific James McArdle, who wears his character’s guilt like a scratchy straitjacket), a legal clerk prone to endless bloviation on morality and justice.

— ben brantley, New York Times, "Review: An ‘Angels in America’ That Soars on the Breath of Life," 25 Mar. 2018
Williams denied the allegation, but the 23-year-old was bound in a straitjacket and thrown out the hospital window.

— deneen l. brown, Washington Post, "‘Lynch him!’: New lynching memorial confronts the nation’s brutal history of racial terrorism," 24 Apr. 2018
Against Trump in 2016, Jeb’s straight-lacedness turned into a straitjacket.

— dan zak, BostonGlobe.com, "‘SNL’ thinks it’s figured out the Trump brothers, but does it get them right?," 14 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'straitjacket.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of straitjacket

1814

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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straitjacket

verb

variants: or less commonly straightjacket

Definition of straitjacket

straitjacketed also straightjacketed; straitjacketing also straightjacketing; straitjackets also straightjackets

transitive verb

: to confine in or as if in a straitjacket

Recent Examples of straitjacket from the Web

But this tick somehow fell into a spider web, and the resident spider promptly straitjacketed its arachnid cousin in loops of silk, either to save it as a snack or to immobilize it as a precaution.

— National Geographic, "Tick Wrapped in Spider Silk Found Trapped in Amber—A First," 25 May 2018
Critics over the years have accused Muti of straitjacketing the music in the name of fidelity to the score, but there was no rigidity of pacing or phrasing here.

— john von rhein, chicagotribune.com, "In Salzburg, Muti's return to 'Aida' was worth the wait," 22 Aug. 2017
Highlights from previous eras, including the 1980s pinnacle of the Lakers-Celtics rivalry, look shrunken and straitjacketed in comparison.

— john branch, New York Times, "The Golden State Warriors Play the Beautiful Game," 25 Oct. 2016
This was long before the Corps of Engineers straitjacketed the once wide and slower-moving river.

— darryl levings, kansascity, "How Kansas City came to fear ‘Pest House Island’," 28 Apr. 2017

First Known Use of straitjacket

1863

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

STRAITJACKET Defined for English Language Learners

straitjacket

noun

Definition of straitjacket for English Language Learners

: a jacket that has long arms which can be tied together behind someone's back and that is used to control the movements of a violent prisoner or patient

Medical Dictionary

straitjacket

noun strait·jack·et

variants: also straightjacket play \ˈstrāt-ˌjak-ət\

medical Definition of straitjacket

: a cover or garment of strong material (as canvas) used to bind the body and especially the arms closely in restraining a violent prisoner or patient

Learn More about straitjacket

See words that rhyme with straitjacket Spanish Central: Translation of straitjacket Nglish: Translation of straitjacket for Spanish speakers

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Definition of straitjacket

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straitjacket

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STRAITJACKET Defined for English Language Learners

straitjacket

Definition of straitjacket for English Language Learners

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straitjacket

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STRAITJACKET Defined for English Language Learners

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