restrictive

adjective

re·​stric·​tive ri-ˈstrik-tiv 

1

a

: of or relating to restriction

b

: serving or tending to restrict

restrictive regulations

2

: limiting the reference of a modified word or phrase

3

: prohibiting further negotiation

restrictive noun

restrictively adverb

restrictiveness noun

Did you know?

Restrictive covenants (that is, agreements) in real-estate deeds were once used to forbid the buyer from ever selling the property to anyone of another race. These are now illegal, though other kinds of restrictive covenants are very common; in some neighborhoods, they may even tell you what colors you can't paint your house. In grammar, a restrictive clause is one that limits the meaning of something that comes before it. In the sentence "That's the professor who I'm trying to avoid", "who I'm trying to avoid" is a restrictive clause, since it's what identifies the professor. But in the sentence "That's my History professor, who I'm trying to avoid", the same clause is nonrestrictive, since the professor has already been identified as "my History professor". There should always be a comma before a nonrestrictive clause, but not before a restrictive clause.

Examples of restrictive in a Sentence

In the sentence “The book that you ordered is out of print,” “that you ordered” is a restrictive clause.

Recent Examples on the Web

Upon conducting research to discover why the numbers of Blacks living in Glencoe fell so sharply during the 1920s, the historical society concluded Booth oversaw a plan placing racially restrictive covenants on homes in southern Glencoe. —Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2024

These laws also vary by state and by country; the EU is especially restrictive on the use and even storage of data. —Sarah McKenna, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024

Largely owing to the fact that the trio were raised in San Pedro, Ca., far enough away from the more restrictive L.A. punk scene, Minutemen brought forward a refreshing reinterpretation of the genre in a way only outsiders can. —Spin Staff, SPIN, 30 Sep. 2024

Groups at a greater risk of inadequate nutrient intake, such as those following a restrictive diet or those with chronic conditions that impact nutrient absorption, should consider a multivitamin to meet nutrient needs. —Allison Knott, Ms, Rdn, Cssd, Health, 26 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing restrictive

• restrictive clause

Kids Definition

restrictive

adjective

re·​stric·​tive ri-ˈstrik-tiv 

1

: serving or likely to restrict

2

: limiting the reference of a modified word or phrase

restrictive noun

restrictively adverb

restrictiveness noun

Legal Definition

restrictive

adjective

re·​stric·​tive ri-ˈstrik-tiv 

1

a

: of or relating to restriction

b

: serving or tending to restrict

2

: prohibiting further negotiation

restrictively adverb

restrictiveness noun