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
Meanwhile, frontline institutions are facing severe resource constraints: The World Food Programme is facing an $8.1 billion shortfall leading to the closure of its Southern Africa office, and slashed rations for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.
—Daphne Ewing-Chow, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
That’s partly due to the constraints of the U.S. health care system.
—Eleanor Rivera, The Conversation, 28 Mar. 2025
Again, the board refused to act, citing financial constraints.
— Made By History, Time, 27 Mar. 2025
Tala, known for her seamless blend of R&B, bossa nova, and soul, has delivered an album that transcends genre constraints.
—Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for constraint
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Daphne Ewing-Chow, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
That’s partly due to the constraints of the U.S. health care system.
—Eleanor Rivera, The Conversation, 28 Mar. 2025
Again, the board refused to act, citing financial constraints.
— Made By History, Time, 27 Mar. 2025
Tala, known for her seamless blend of R&B, bossa nova, and soul, has delivered an album that transcends genre constraints.
—Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 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 2 Apr. 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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