constrain

con·strain

verb

To constrain is to impose limitations or restrictions on someone or something, or to force yourself or someone else to act in a certain way.

When you limit someone's freedom, this is an example of a situation where you constrain that person.
When you compel someone to follow a specific course of action, this is an example of a situation where you constrain that person.
When you force yourself to act in a certain manner, this is an example of a situation where you constrain your behavior.

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"constrain." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 14 February 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Constrain>.

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constrain. (n.d.). Retrieved February 14th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Constrain

constrain

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

Origin of constrain

Middle English constreinen from Old French constreindre from Classical Latin constringere, to bind together, draw together from com-, together + stringere, to draw tight: see strict

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Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"constrain." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 14 February 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Constrain>.

APA Style

constrain. (n.d.). Retrieved February 14th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Constrain

constrain

transitive verb

con·strained, con·strain·ing, con·strains

a. To keep within certain limits; confine or limit: “Legislators … used the power of the purse to constrain the size of the military” ( Julian E. Zelizer )
b. To inhibit or restrain; hold back: “She noticed her mother blushing and acting somewhat constrained in her conversation with the grandmother” ( David Huddle )
To compel by physical, moral, or circumstantial force; oblige: felt constrained to object to his behavior.
To produce in a forced or inhibited manner: “This smile seemed to touch something off in her … and playfully she constrained her own roguish smile” ( Naeem Murr )

Origin of constrain

Middle English constreinen from Old French constraindre constraign- from Latin cōnstringere to restrain, compress com- com- stringere to bind, press together ; see streig- in Indo-European roots.

Related Forms:

con·strain′a·ble
adjective

con·strain′ed·ly
adverb

con·strain′er
noun

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.