restraint

noun

re·​straint ri-ˈstrānt 

1

a

: an act of restraining : the state of being restrained

b(1)

: a means of restraining : a restraining force or influence

(2)

: a device that restricts movement

a restraint for children riding in cars

2

: a control over the expression of one's emotions or thoughts

Synonyms of restraint

• discipline
• repression
• inhibition
• suppression

Examples of restraint in a Sentence

Make sure the child safety restraint is in place.

The prisoner was placed in restraints.

His angry response showed a lack of restraint.

The government has acted with restraint in dealing with this crisis.

Recent Examples on the Web

Once a corduroy suit has been declared practical, quietly subversive, and fictitiously endorsed by a punk legend, restraint doesn’t come easily. — John Vorwald, Robb Report, 10 Oct. 2026

Prince Turki traced Saudi Arabia’s engagement in Yemen through the eras of King Abdulaziz and his father, King Faisal, describing a policy shaped by strategic restraint within limits. — Faisal J. Abbas, semafor.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Hamas, which has been decimated but not yet unseated, has so far shown relative restraint and a willingness to absorb regular hits, including a series of assassinations of its members and regular airstrikes by Israel. — Khaled Elgindy, Foreign Affairs, 8 Oct. 2026

Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions is an admirable example of how focus and restraint can lay the foundation for a major business. — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 7 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French restreinte, from restreindre

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing restraint

• head restraint
• kept/placed under restraint
• passive restraint
• prior restraint
• self-restraint
• under restraint

Rhymes for restraint

• acquaint
• complaint
• constraint
• distraint
• repaint
• faint
• feint
• maint
• paint
• plaint
• quaint
• saint

Kids Definition

restraint

noun

re·​straint ri-ˈstrānt 

1

: the act of restraining : the state of being restrained

held in restraint

2

: a restraining force or influence

3

: control over one's behavior

act with restraint

Medical Definition

restraint

noun

re·​straint ri-ˈstrānt 

: a device that restricts movement

restraints such as straitjackets for violent patients

Legal Definition

restraint

noun

re·​straint ri-ˈstrānt 

1

a

: an act or fact of restraining see also prior restraint

b

: the state of being restrained

2

a

: a means of restraining

b

: a device that restricts movement (as of prisoners or violent psychiatric patients)