Definition of constraint Constraint

/kʌnstɹejˈnt/ - [kunstreynt] - con•straint

We found 9 definitions of constraint from 5 different sources.

What does constraint mean?

WordNet

Noun Plural: constraints
constraint - the state of being physically constrained; "dogs should be kept under restraint"
		restraint
		confinement the act of restraining of a person's liberty by confining them
constraint - the act of constraining; the threat or use of force to control the thoughts or behavior of others
		restriction, confinement the act of keeping something within specified bounds (by force if necessary); "the restriction of the infection to a focal area"
constraint - a device that retards something's motion; "the car did not have proper restraints fitted"
		restraint
		device any clever maneuver; "he would stoop to any device to win a point"; "it was a great sales gimmick"; "a cheap promotions gimmick for greedy businessmen"
		air bag a safety restraint in an automobile; the bag inflates on collision and prevents the driver or passenger from being thrown forward
		dive brake, airbrake a vehicular brake that operates by compressed air; especially for heavy vehicles
		arrester, arrester hook a restraint that slows airplanes as they land on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier
		band a thin flat strip of flexible material that is worn around the body or one of the limbs (especially to decorate the body)
		brake a restraint used to slow or stop a vehicle
		brake a restraint used to slow or stop a vehicle
		brake pad one of the pads that apply friction to both sides of the brake disk
		brake shoe, skid, shoe a restraint provided when the brake linings are moved hydraulically against the brake drum to retard the wheel's rotation
		catch, stop the act of catching an object with the hands; "Mays made the catch with his back to the plate"; "he made a grab for the ball before it landed"; "Martin's snatch at the bridle failed and the horse raced away"; "the infielder's snap and throw was a single motion"
		chain a series of (usually metal) rings or links fitted into one another to make a flexible ligament
		holdfast, fastener, fastening, fixing restraint that attaches to something or holds something in place
		gag, muzzle restraint put into a person's mouth to prevent speaking or shouting
		tether, leash, lead restraint consisting of a rope (or light chain) used to restrain an animal
		ignition lock, lock any wrestling hold in which some part of the opponent's body is twisted or pressured
		muzzle forward projecting part of the head of certain animals; includes the jaws and nose
		safety belt, safety harness, life belt belt attaching you to some object as a restraint in order to prevent you from getting hurt
		sea anchor, drogue restraint consisting of a canvas covered frame that floats behind a vessel; prevents drifting or maintains the heading into a wind
		hamper, shackle, trammel, bond a basket usually with a cover

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Wiktionary

constraint (Noun)
Something that constrains.
constraint (Noun)
A condition that a solution to an optimization problem must satisfy.

Webster DictionaryWebster's Unabridged Dictionary 📘

constraint (n.)
The act of constraining, or the state of being constrained; that which compels to, or restrains from, action; compulsion; restraint; necessity.