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constrain definition

con·strain (kən strān′)

transitive verb

  1. to force into, or hold in, close bounds; confine
  2. to hold back by force; restrain
  3. to force; compel; oblige he was constrained to agree

Etymology: ME constreinen < OFr constreindre < L constringere, to bind together, draw together < com-, together + stringere, to draw tight: see strict

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

constrain Synonyms

constrain

v.

necessitate, compel, hold back, stifle; see force 1, restrain 1. See syn. study at force.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

constrain Usage Examples

Object

  • least-squares: Constrained least-squares and robust ( maximum likelihood ) non-linear fitting is available with either sinusoid or damped sinusoid models.

Subject

  • limitation: You will not be constrained by the limitations of templates.

Modifying Another Word

  • severely: Private sector investment is severely constrained by limited returns on products for markets with low purchasing power.

Preposition: by

  • limitation: You will not be constrained by the limitations of templates.
constrain usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

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"constrain." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/constrain>

APA Style

constrain. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/constrain

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