CONSTRAINT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does constraint mean? 

• CONSTRAINT (noun)
  The noun CONSTRAINT has 3 senses:

1. the state of being physically constrained

2. a device that retards something's motion

3. the act of constraining; the threat or use of force to control the thoughts or behavior of others

  Familiarity information: CONSTRAINT used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CONSTRAINT (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The state of being physically constrained

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Synonyms:

constraint; restraint

Context example:

dogs should be kept under restraint

Hypernyms ("constraint" is a kind of...):

confinement (the state of being confined)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "constraint"):

cage (something that restricts freedom as a cage restricts movement)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A device that retards something's motion

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

constraint; restraint

Context example:

the car did not have proper restraints fitted

Hypernyms ("constraint" is a kind of...):

device (an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "constraint"):

air bag (a safety restraint in an automobile; the bag inflates on collision and prevents the driver or passenger from being thrown forward)

trammel (a restraint that is used to teach a horse to amble)

bond; hamper; shackle; trammel (a restraint that confines or restricts freedom (especially something used to tie down or restrain a prisoner))

drogue; sea anchor (restraint consisting of a canvas covered frame that floats behind a vessel; prevents drifting or maintains the heading into a wind)

life belt; safety belt; safety harness (belt attaching you to some object as a restraint in order to prevent you from getting hurt)

muzzle (a leather or wire restraint that fits over an animal's snout (especially a dog's nose and jaws) and prevents it from eating or biting)

ignition lock; lock (a restraint incorporated into the ignition switch to prevent the use of a vehicle by persons who do not have the key)

lead; leash; tether (restraint consisting of a rope (or light chain) used to restrain an animal)

gag; muzzle (restraint put into a person's mouth to prevent speaking or shouting)

fastener; fastening; fixing; holdfast (restraint that attaches to something or holds something in place)

chain (anything that acts as a restraint)

catch; stop (a restraint that checks the motion of something)

brake shoe; shoe; skid (a restraint provided when the brake linings are moved hydraulically against the brake drum to retard the wheel's rotation)

brake pad (one of the pads that apply friction to both sides of the brake disk)

brake (anything that slows or hinders a process)

brake (a restraint used to slow or stop a vehicle)

band (a restraint put around something to hold it together)

arrester; arrester hook (a restraint that slows airplanes as they land on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier)

airbrake; dive brake (a small parachute or articulated flap to reduce the speed of an aircraft)

Sense 3

Meaning:

The act of constraining; the threat or use of force to control the thoughts or behavior of others

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("constraint" is a kind of...):

confinement; restriction (the act of keeping something within specified bounds (by force if necessary))

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "constraint"):

swaddling clothes (restrictions placed on the immature)

 Context examples 

The act of directing or determining; regulation or maintenance of a function or action; a relation of constraint of one entity (thing or person or group) by another.

(Control, NCI Thesaurus)

In the new study, researchers combine recent advances to disentangle the interplay between the constraints that act on the ice-liquid transition in nanometer-sized clusters.

(Scientists probe the limits of ice, National Science Foundation)

NOTE(S): Derived from repeatQuantity and repeatFrequencyCode or repeatFrequencyRatio (constraint allows only one).

(Defined Activity Repeat Duration, NCI Thesaurus/BRIDG)

A feeling of freedom from constraint or embarrassment; feeling relaxed and natural.

(Comfort, NCI Thesaurus)

With me he was warm as ever, and to Van Helsing he was sweetly courteous; but I could not help seeing that there was some constraint with him.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

So when they were alone the king’s daughter said to her eleven girls: “Show some constraint, and do not look round at the spinning-wheels.”

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

That means your very best period, when Mars will be unfettered with the constraints of Mercury and will still be in Capricorn, will be March 10 until March 30.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

"By combining biological, ecological, historical and sociological analyses, new constraints on the impact of this plague were identified."

(Justinianic plague not a landmark pandemic?, National Science Foundation)

Each value implies specific constraints to what kinds of objects can be related and in which way.

(Document Version Relationship Type Code, NCI Thesaurus)

“Pardon me!” said Mr. Micawber, with an air of constraint, “I speak of my friend Heep as I have experience.”

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)