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 Airbus Factor and Market Dynamics Airbus leads in single-aisle deliveries but faces significant supply chain constraints, limiting its ability to ramp up production further.
—Robert Daugherty, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
The launch date is dependent on spacecraft traffic to the ISS and in-orbit activity planning and constraints that have to be coordinated with NASA.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 June 2025
The dating of ancient manuscripts is an extremely difficult problem, with sparse data and heavy constraints on access and expertise.
—Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 7 June 2025
Financial markets remain divided over whether the Fed will cut rates soon, particularly given potential future inflation from new tariffs and possible labor supply constraints.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for constraint
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Robert Daugherty, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
The launch date is dependent on spacecraft traffic to the ISS and in-orbit activity planning and constraints that have to be coordinated with NASA.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 June 2025
The dating of ancient manuscripts is an extremely difficult problem, with sparse data and heavy constraints on access and expertise.
—Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 7 June 2025
Financial markets remain divided over whether the Fed will cut rates soon, particularly given potential future inflation from new tariffs and possible labor supply constraints.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 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 14 Jun. 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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