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 of stricture

• condemnation
• reprimand
• censure

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

However, the strictures of the ACIP constitution haven’t stopped the new ACIP before. —Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 26 Feb. 2026

The setting needn’t be explicitly Norway, but the stultifying strictures of this middle-class world must be in place for Ibsen’s vision to have its detonating effect. —Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026

Those surgeries would lead to a postoperative leak that wouldn’t resolve, strictures, a blockage, more than 60 days in the hospital, over $1 million in medical bills and complete stomach removal, Parker alleged in a March 2020 malpractice suit against Heider. —Amber Gaudet updated February 20, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2026

For Araminta, a woman who has always lived within society’s strictures, Sophie is just another rule to follow — and Leung does so with sneering menace, extravagant goth gowns, and a purposefully maternal approach. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 19 Feb. 2026

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