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

For the next several hours—the film, though extraordinarily rigorous, is not bound by the strictures of real time—Kornev’s persistence will be met with deflections, delays, and excuses. —Justin Chang, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026

Bank charters also come with the kind of regulatory strictures that persuaded Robinhood that the costs of obtaining one outweigh the benefits. —Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 13 Mar. 2026

Chandler framed himself as an alienated artist persecuted by arbitrary strictures. —Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026

And the service culture, rooted in the Quranic virtue of hospitality, comes with a rare degree of social tolerance for an Islamic country; King Mohammed VI’s support for tourism effectively shields foreigners from harsh religious strictures. —Kevin West, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 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