constraint

[ kuhn-streynt ]

noun

1. limitation or restriction.

   Synonyms: pressure, obligation, force

2. repression of natural feelings and impulses:

   to practice constraint.

3. unnatural restraint in manner, conversation, etc.; embarrassment.
4. something that constrains.
5. the act of constraining.
6. the condition of being constrained. constrain.
7. Linguistics. a restriction on the operation of a linguistic rule or the occurrence of a linguistic construction.

constraint

/ kənˈstreɪnt /

noun

1. compulsion, force, or restraint
2. repression or control of natural feelings or impulses
3. a forced unnatural manner; inhibition
4. something that serves to constrain; restrictive condition

   social constraints kept him silent

5. linguistics any very general restriction on a sentence formation rule

Other Words From

• noncon·straint noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of constraint¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English constreinte, from Middle French, noun use of feminine past participle of constreindre “to constrain”; constrain

Example Sentences

"We essentially showed how to achieve the best possible performance for the emitter given realistic, practical design constraints," said Prasad, who is the first author on the study.

From Science Daily

“Our great concern is that, without action, water scarcity will emerge as a major constraint on housing production across California,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

“Liberal democracy,” he says, “offers moral constraints without problem-solving” — a lot of rules, not a lot of change — while “populism offers problem-solving without moral constraints.”

From Salon

She said the "only time constraint" was that, in order to pass, the bill needed to complete all its stages by November 2025.

From BBC

"To make real progress, we need to look at it as one piece of a broader, more sustainable water management strategy that's adapted to the unique needs and constraints of each area."

From Science Daily

Related Words

• curb
• hindrance
• restraint