constraint

noun

con·​straint kən-ˈstrānt How to pronounce constraint (audio)
1
a
: the act of constraining
b
: the state of being checked, restricted, or compelled to avoid or perform some action
… the constraint and monotony of a monastic life …Matthew Arnold
a life of invalidism and constraint
c
: a constraining condition, agency, or force : check
put legal constraints on the board's activities
Budget constraints have forced me to revise my travel plans.
2
a
: repression of one's own feelings, behavior, or actions
emotional constraint
b
: a sense of being constrained : embarrassment
" … a constraint between us as if we were strangers … "John P. Marquand

Examples of constraint in a Sentence

Lack of funding has been a major constraint on the building's design. They demand freedom from constraint. They refuse to work under constraint any longer.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
From Roadblock to Runway: Leveraging Regulatory Changes for Financial Innovation Fintechs that treat regulatory shifts as an opportunity rather than a constraint will be the ones that succeed in this new era. Nandan Sheth, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025 But on Tuesday, a spokesperson for the US State Department told WIRED that the program is abruptly ending due to budget constraints. Zeyi Yang, WIRED, 5 Mar. 2025 The main countermeasure is mortar fire, which is cheap and mobile—again, not a serious constraint that requires around-the-clock shifts in Russian factories. Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2025 Food insecurity creates a combination of issues, from financial constraints, lack of access to affordable nutritious food, social and emotional stress, and affects the academic performance of college students, according to Talamantes. Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for constraint

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French constrainte, from constraindre — see constrain

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of constraint was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Constraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/constraint. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

constraint

noun
con·​straint kən-ˈstrānt How to pronounce constraint (audio)
1
: the act of constraining : the state of being constrained
2
: something that constrains : check
3
: a holding back of one's feelings, actions, or behavior

More from Merriam-Webster on constraint

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