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

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

Synonyms

• continence
• discipline
• discretion
• inhibition
• refrainment
• repression
• reserve
• restraint
• self-command
• self-control
• self-restraint
• suppression

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

The constraints and challenges that stand in the way of developing these capabilities are real. —Andrew S. Lim, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025

That pivot involved epistemic uncertainty—consumer behavior, bandwidth constraints, and content rights. —Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025

Newcastle just don’t have the same depth quality-wise, which is largely down to the PSR (the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules) constraints of the past 18 months. —Chris Waugh, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025

This places stringent constraints on how massive those particles can be and on how efficiently dark matter can convert into photons. —Paul Sutter, Space.com, 21 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for constraint

• acquaint
• complaint
• distraint
• enceinte
• repaint
• restraint
• faint
• feint
• maint
• paint
• plaint
• quaint

Kids 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