restraint

noun

re·​straint ri-ˈstrānt How to pronounce restraint (audio)
1
a
: an act of restraining : the state of being restrained
b(1)
: a means of restraining : a restraining force or influence
(2)
: a device that restricts movement
a restraint for children riding in cars
2
: a control over the expression of one's emotions or thoughts

Examples of restraint in a Sentence

Make sure the child safety restraint is in place. The prisoner was placed in restraints. His angry response showed a lack of restraint. The government has acted with restraint in dealing with this crisis.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Sullivan was being held on charges of assault, kidnapping, unlawful restraint, cruelty to persons and reckless endangerment before she was released on Thursday after posting $300,000 bail. Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 15 Mar. 2025 Sullivan, a 56-year-old Connecticut woman, has been charged with assault, kidnapping, unlawful restraint, cruelty and reckless endangerment. Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025 Kimberly Sullivan, 56, identified as the man's stepmother, was charged with assault, kidnapping, unlawful restraint, cruelty and reckless endangerment. CBS News, 13 Mar. 2025 Officers arrested Sullivan, 56, on March 12 on charges of first-degree assault, second-degree kidnapping, first-degree unlawful restraint, cruelty to persons, and first-degree reckless endangerment, police said. Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for restraint

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French restreinte, from restreindre

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of restraint was in the 15th century

Cite this Entry

“Restraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/restraint. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

restraint

noun
re·​straint ri-ˈstrānt How to pronounce restraint (audio)
1
: the act of restraining : the state of being restrained
held in restraint
2
: a restraining force or influence
3
: control over one's behavior
act with restraint

Medical Definition

restraint

noun
re·​straint ri-ˈstrānt How to pronounce restraint (audio)
: a device that restricts movement
restraints such as straitjackets for violent patients

Legal Definition

restraint

noun
re·​straint ri-ˈstrānt How to pronounce restraint (audio)
1
a
: an act or fact of restraining see also prior restraint
b
: the state of being restrained
2
a
: a means of restraining
b
: a device that restricts movement (as of prisoners or violent psychiatric patients)

More from Merriam-Webster on restraint

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