straitjacket

1 of 2

noun

strait·​jack·​et ˈstrāt-ˌja-kət 

variants or less commonly straightjacket

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

in a financial straitjacket

straitjacket

2 of 2

verb

variants or less commonly straightjacket

straitjacketed also straightjacketed; straitjacketing also straightjacketing; straitjackets also straightjackets

transitive verb

: to confine in or as if in a straitjacket

was straitjacketed by debt

Examples of straitjacket in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Conditions vary in different countries Some of the deportees have recounted being shackled while some were held in full-body restraint straitjackets called the WRAP during flights that can sometimes last more than 16 hours. — Mark Banchereau, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026

That decision, taken in opposition, became a straitjacket for Labour in government. — Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 22 June 2026

Verb

Hip-hop from that period often incorporated sampling, a technique that was legally straitjacketed by 1991. — Jeremy Gordon, New York Times, 3 May 2020

Trump was not straitjacketed by the laws and customs governing foundations, or by the most basic ethical norms. — Steve Chapman, chicagotribune.com, 13 Nov. 2019

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1814, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1863, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for straitjacket

• bracket
• jacket
• packet
• racket
• racquet

Kids Definition

straitjacket

noun

strait·​jack·​et

variants also straightjacket

ˈstrāt-ˌjak-ət

: a cover or outer garment of strong material (as canvas) used to restrict the movement of the arms as a means of controlling a violent prisoner or patient

Medical Definition

straitjacket

noun

strait·​jack·​et

variants also straightjacket

ˈstrāt-ˌjak-ət 

: 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