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
The Obama administration canceled most of NASA’s participation in ExoMars in 2012, citing budgetary constraints such as cost overruns with the James Webb Space Telescope.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 17 Apr. 2026
That epistemic constraint defined the ceiling of what medicine could accomplish at scale.
—Celina Yong, STAT, 16 Apr. 2026
While filibustering was not permitted under the particular constraints of the CRA, Smith spoke for roughly three of five allotted hours Wednesday.
—Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 16 Apr. 2026
Those constraints point to a larger challenge facing the industry.
—Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for constraint
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Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 17 Apr. 2026
That epistemic constraint defined the ceiling of what medicine could accomplish at scale.
—Celina Yong, STAT, 16 Apr. 2026
While filibustering was not permitted under the particular constraints of the CRA, Smith spoke for roughly three of five allotted hours Wednesday.
—Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 16 Apr. 2026
Those constraints point to a larger challenge facing the industry.
—Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for constraint
Cite this Entry
“Constraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/constraint. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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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