stricture

noun

stric·​ture ˈstrik-chər 

1

a

: an abnormal narrowing of a bodily passage

also : the narrowed part

b

: a constriction of the breath passage in the production of a speech sound

2

: something that closely restrains or limits : restriction

moral strictures

3

: an adverse criticism : censure

Did you know?

Stricture has meant many things through the centuries, and its "restriction" meaning—probably the most common one today—is actually the most recent. High-school teachers often put strictures on texting during class. Cities concerned about their murder rate have slapped strictures on the possession of handguns. And the United Nations may vote to put strictures on arms sales to a country that keeps violating international treaties. With the meaning "strong criticism", stricture is slightly old-fashioned today, but it's still used by intellectuals. So, for example, an article may amount to a harsh stricture on the whole medical profession, or an art review may just express the critic's strictures on sentimental paintings of cute little houses with glowing windows.

Synonyms

• censure
• commination
• condemnation
• denunciation
• excoriation
• objurgation
• rebuke
• reprimand
• reproach
• reproof
• riot act

Examples of stricture in a Sentence

the church's strictures on the morals and mores of contemporary society

the new zoning strictures effectively make further development along the riverfront commercially unviable

Recent Examples on the Web

Even within these strictures—and even while caring for 11 children—Ruysch excelled. —Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Apr. 2025

How My Grandmother's Stories About Our Ancestors Inspired My Novel Junie (Exclusive) Before long, jails were filled with women who had dared rebel against these strictures. —Suzanne Cope, People.com, 28 Apr. 2025

Structural problems: In rare cases, structural issues like strictures (narrowing of the esophagus) or tumors can interfere with swallowing. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 27 Apr. 2025

And unlike last time, Marocco is now without strictures and answers to few in the executive branch besides Trump himself. —Brett Murphy, ProPublica, 16 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin strictura, from Latin strictus, past participle

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for stricture

• picture

Kids Definition

stricture

noun

stric·​ture ˈstrik-chər 

1

: an abnormal narrowing of a bodily passage

also : the narrowed part

2

: a negative criticism : censure

Medical Definition

stricture

noun

stric·​ture ˈstrik-chər 

: an abnormal narrowing of a bodily passage (as from inflammation, cancer, or the formation of scar tissue)

esophageal stricture

also : the narrowed part