constraint

noun

con·​straint kən-ˈstrānt How to pronounce constraint (audio)
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

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 But budget constraints have left the 123-year-old lab with a skeletal staff on key tech teams and most facilities on its main Gaithersburg, Md., and Boulder, Colo., campuses below acceptable building standards. Cat Zakrzewski, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024 But for other brands where supply isn’t a constraint, the savings can be significant, ranging from 20% all the way up to 80% off the original retail price. Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 3 Mar. 2024 Battery energy density is not as significant a constraint as many have been assuming. Michael Barnard, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024 How the extra day keeps everything on track Financial constraints also hold Arizona's student-to-school-counselor ratios down, according to Arizona School Counselors Association leaders. Nick Sullivan, The Arizona Republic, 29 Feb. 2024 Brooks said that while private universities like Harvard and Georgetown have pledged financial reparative measures, budget constraints challenge public entities to respond concretely to past wrongs. USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2024 An experimental camera system built by students at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, designed to be released before touchdown to capture imagery of the lander during its final descent, was not deployed as planned because of software constraints related to the guidance system problem. William Harwood, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2024 In a Southern culture that may traditionally reward constraint, the Belles skew opposite. Colbi Edmonds Madeline Gray, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2024 After rapid expansion for Carvana, supply constraints eased coming out of the pandemic, and the company’s stock fell, leading to bankruptcy concerns. Natallie Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'constraint.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

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

Dictionary Entries Near constraint

Cite this Entry

“Constraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/constraint. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

constraint

noun
con·​straint kən-ˈstrānt How to pronounce constraint (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on constraint

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