First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
constrain
verb con·strain \kən-ˈstrān\
: to limit or restrict (something or someone)
: to use pressure to force (someone) to do something
Full Definition of CONSTRAIN
transitive verb
1
a : to force by imposed stricture, restriction, or limitation b : to restrict the motion of (a mechanical body) to a particular mode
2
: compress; also : to clasp tightly
4
: to force or produce in an unnatural or strained manner <a constrained smile>
5
: to hold back by or as if by force <constraining my mind not to wander from the task — Charles Dickens>
— con·strained·ly \-ˈstrā-nəd-lē, -ˈstrānd-lē\ adverb
See constrain defined for English-language learners
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Origin of CONSTRAIN
Middle English, from Anglo-French constraindre, from Latin constringere to constrict, constrain, from com- + stringere to draw tight — more at strain
Related to CONSTRAIN
Synonym Discussion of CONSTRAIN
force, compel, coerce, constrain, oblige mean to make someone or something yield. force is the general term and implies the overcoming of resistance by the exertion of strength, power, or duress <forced to flee for their lives>. compel typically suggests overcoming of resistance or unwillingness by an irresistible force <compelled to admit my mistake>. coerce suggests overcoming resistance or unwillingness by actual or threatened violence or pressure <coerced into signing over the rights>. constrain suggests the effect of a force or circumstance that limits freedom of action or choice <constrained by conscience>. oblige implies the constraint of necessity, law, or duty <felt obliged to go>.
Rhymes with CONSTRAIN
abstain, again, air lane, airplane, amain, arcane, arraign, attain, Bahrain, Bassein, Beltane, biplane, birdbrain, block plane, bloodstain, boat train, brain drain, bugbane, campaign, champagne, champaign, Champlain, checkrein, chicane, chilblain, choke chain, chow mein, cinquain, cocaine, Cockaigne, Coltrane, coxswain, complain, contain, cordwain, cowbane, crackbrain, demesne, deplane, destain, detain, detrain, devein, disdain, distain, distrain, dogbane, domain, drivetrain, dumb cane, edge-grain, Elaine, enchain, enplane, entrain, ethane, explain, eyestrain, fast lane, fleabane, floatplane, floodplain, food chain, forebrain, Fort Wayne, Gawain, germane, Great Dane, grosgrain, half plane, henbane, hindbrain, house-train, humane, Hussein, Igraine, immane, inane, ingrain, insane, jack plane, lamebrain, left brain, lightplane, lo mein, long-chain, Lorraine, maintain, marchpane, membrane, methane, midbrain, migraine, Montaigne, montane, moraine, mortmain, Moulmein, mundane, neck-rein, New Spain, obtain, octane, ordain, pertain, plain-Jane, profane, propane, ptomaine, purslane, quatrain, raise Cain, refrain, remain, restrain, retain, retrain, right brain, romaine, sailplane, sea-lane, seaplane, seatrain, split-brain, sustain, tailplane, tearstain, terrane, Touraine, towplane, triplane, Ukraine, unchain, urbane, vervain, vicereine, villein, volplane, warplane, wave train, wolfsbane
CONSTRAINED Defined for Kids
constrain
verb con·strain \kən-ˈstrān\
con·strainedcon·strain·ing
Definition of CONSTRAIN for Kids
2
: to restrict or limit <She felt the rules constrained her creativity.>
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