constrain

CEFRC1

/kənˈstɹeɪn/

verb

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    verb

    To limit or restrict someone or something.

  2. 02

    verb

    Extra detail

    To keep within close bounds; to confine.

Examples

  • Changes in water availability, both episodic and long-lasting, will constrain different forms of energy production.

  • What human trespass would constrain thy power, O Zeus?

At a glance

Sits at C1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
4
Parts of speech
1
Citations
1

Deep Dive

verb

Extra meanings

  1. To reduce a result in response to limited resources.

  2. To force physically, by strong persuasion or pressuring; to compel; to oblige.

More examples

In context

  • But it's not just Castlefield Corridor capacity that constrains services. All the junctions on the lines feeding into the corridor are flat, so they create conflict points as trains pass.

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

Strict budget rules will blank the amount we can spend on supplies.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

verb

From Middle English constreinen, from Old French constreindre, from Latin cōnstringō, from cōn- (“with, together”) + stringō (“to draw, bind or tie tight”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *streyg- (“to stroke, to shear, stiff”).