stricture

noun

stric·ture | \ ˈstrik-chər

Definition of stricture

1a : 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

Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about stricture

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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.

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

The men and the few women who came to the UpStairs Lounge were, in many ways, trapped by societal strictures. — New York Times, "A Fire Killed 32 at a New Orleans Gay Bar. This Artist Didn’t Forget.," 9 July 2018 Within hours after the collapse, Salvini was vowing not to let European Union spending strictures on Italy, which is laden with public debt, stop any effort to make the country's infrastructure safe. — Frances D'emilio, Fox News, "Rescuers comb concrete and steel after bridge collapse," 15 Aug. 2018 Also leave copies of your pet’s vaccinations and any recent medical work or necessary strictures such as whether the animal has any allergies. — Robin Tribble, Popular Mechanics, "How to Make Sure Your Pets Have a Happy Holiday Too," 12 Nov. 2018 Prince Mohammed, Saudi Arabia’s day-to-day ruler, has sought to portray himself as a modernizer with plans to relax social strictures and attract foreign investment to remake its oil-dependent economy. — Summer Said, WSJ, "Saudi Arabia Accused of Torturing Women’s-Rights Activists in Widening Crackdown on Dissent," 20 Nov. 2018 In view of those strictures, the EU deal that emerged last Friday was vague and full of holes. — Simon Nixon, WSJ, "Europe’s Threadbare Migration Plan Only Buys Time," 2 July 2018 Critics therefore question the legality of the petition as a ploy to get around this stricture—although only one of Ms Sereno’s 14 colleagues on the Supreme Court has objected. — The Economist, "The chief justice of the Philippines is under attack," 22 Mar. 2018 The difficulty of regulating this trade led to the strictures by which England tried and generally failed to bring New England to heel, enraging Americans in the process. — Ted Widmer, BostonGlobe.com, "How Haiti saved America," 12 Jan. 2018 Though complex, this would keep Britain close to many economic rules and strictures of its biggest trading partner. — Stephen Castle, New York Times, "Brexit Nightmare: 17-Mile Traffic Jams at the Dover Border," 3 June 2018

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

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Last Updated

11 Jan 2019

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Time Traveler for stricture

The first known use of stricture was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for stricture

stricture

noun

English Language Learners Definition of stricture

: a law or rule that limits or controls something

: a strong criticism

See the full definition for stricture in the English Language Learners Dictionary

stricture

noun

stric·ture | \ ˈstrik-chər

Medical Definition of stricture

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