constraint

American  

[kuhn-streynt] / kənˈstreɪnt /

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.

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constraint British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• nonconstraint noun

Etymology

Origin of constraint

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

Example Sentences

Electric power is a major constraint for the growth of AI.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

The constraint there is not equipment shortages or sanctions, but the timing of the damage relative to the asset’s investment cycle, according to Rystad.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 25, 2026

But its use in microscopy has been limited by a fundamental constraint known as the diffraction limit.

From Science Daily • Mar. 17, 2026

"Hopefully China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and others, that are affected by this artificial constraint, will send Ships," he wrote.

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026

My feet rang on the flagged stones, echoing to the ceiling, and I felt guilty at the sound, as one does in church, self-conscious, aware of the same constraint.

From "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier

Related Words

• curb
• hindrance
• restraint