constraint
noun
con·straint
kən-ˈstrānt 
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
Matthew Arnolda 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
John P. MarquandExamples 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
Such efforts cost less, which mattered in an era of budget constraints, and didn’t provoke the same political uproar.
—Time, 19 Dec. 2025
Now, schedulemakers load those constraints and priorities into Fastbreak, which can spit out results in a matter of minutes, offering numerous schedules scored based on pre-set factors.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 19 Dec. 2025
Instead, it’s designed like a living, breathing ecosystem — one that’s governed not only by biological logic but also the constraints of limited resources.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 19 Dec. 2025
The measure also directs the state to implement a strategy to address utility grid constraints that would reward utility companies for speed and affordability.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for constraint
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Time, 19 Dec. 2025
Now, schedulemakers load those constraints and priorities into Fastbreak, which can spit out results in a matter of minutes, offering numerous schedules scored based on pre-set factors.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 19 Dec. 2025
Instead, it’s designed like a living, breathing ecosystem — one that’s governed not only by biological logic but also the constraints of limited resources.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 19 Dec. 2025
The measure also directs the state to implement a strategy to address utility grid constraints that would reward utility companies for speed and affordability.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for constraint
Cite this Entry
“Constraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/constraint. Accessed 25 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
constraint
noun
con·straint
kən-ˈstrānt
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
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