restraint
noun
re·straint
ri-ˈstrānt 
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
It was struck down by the courts, which said such rules were an unfair restraint on the ability of athletes to capitalize on their NIL rights.
—
Seth Emerson, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025
But when taken together, the quotes suggest a belief there are few practical or legal restraints on a president.
—Axios, 19 Feb. 2025
The Sentinel’s reporting ultimately led to NASCAR ordering its drivers to wear head-and-neck restraints, installing crash-data recorders on cars and committing itself to research on other ways to protect drivers.
—Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2025
The legislation, which will go into effect in 2026, faced major opposition from those who saw it as a job killer, putting restraints on economic opportunity and infrastructure development.
—Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for restraint
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show current usage.
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Seth Emerson, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025
But when taken together, the quotes suggest a belief there are few practical or legal restraints on a president.
—Axios, 19 Feb. 2025
The Sentinel’s reporting ultimately led to NASCAR ordering its drivers to wear head-and-neck restraints, installing crash-data recorders on cars and committing itself to research on other ways to protect drivers.
—Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2025
The legislation, which will go into effect in 2026, faced major opposition from those who saw it as a job killer, putting restraints on economic opportunity and infrastructure development.
—Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for restraint
Cite this Entry
“Restraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/restraint. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
restraint
noun
re·straint
ri-ˈstrānt
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
: a device that restricts movement
restraints such as straitjackets for violent patients
Legal Definition
restraint
noun
re·straint
ri-ˈstrānt
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)
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