constriction

[ kuhn-strik-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of constricting.
2. the state of being constricted; tightness or inward pressure.

   Synonyms: stricture, contraction, compression

3. a constricted part.
4. something that constricts.
5. Phonetics. an articulated narrowing of the vocal tract that in consonants audibly obstructs the flow of air and in vowels defines an interconnection between or among resonance cavities. Compare closure ( def 6 ).

constriction

/ kənˈstrɪkʃən /

noun

1. a feeling of tightness in some part of the body, such as the chest
2. the act of constricting or condition of being constricted
3. something that is constricted
4. genetics a localized narrow region of a chromosome, esp at the centromere

Derived Forms

• conˈstrictively, adverb
• conˈstrictiveness, noun
• conˈstrictive, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of constriction¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Late Latin constrīctiōn- (stem of constrīctiō ), equivalent to Latin constrīct ( us ) ( constrict ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

If anything, when you have a constriction of content now, studios pulling back, the first things that get cut are things that are considered, you know, diversity initiatives.

From Los Angeles Times

And that does feel like a bit of a backslide because of the constriction of this industry right now.

From Los Angeles Times

“Considering its large size, Vasuki was a slow-moving ambush predator that would subdue its prey through constriction,” Datta said in an email.

From Seattle Times

Yet their lives are hemmed in by the men around them, with a constriction that’s suffocating.

From New York Times

Yet, the life-threatening feature of asthma is the attack or the constriction of airways, making breathing difficult.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• narrowing