constraint

CEFRB1

/kənˈstɹeɪnt/

noun

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    noun

    Something that limits or restricts what can be done.

  2. 02

    noun

    Extra detail

    An irresistible force or compulsion.

Examples

  • I think I've showed considerable constraint under the circumstances.

  • The cost of electricity is a chief constraint for Senegal's development.

At a glance

Sits at B1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
1
Citations
2

Also pronounced

  • /kənˈstɹæɪnt/

Deep Dive

noun

Extra meanings

  1. The repression of one's feelings.

  2. Something that constrains; a restriction.

  3. A condition that a solution to an optimization problem must satisfy.

More examples

In context

  • An engineer must recognize the difference between a constraint (to work within) and a problem (to be eliminated via resolution).

  • They confessed, but only under severe constraint.

  • Today’s electricity demand (65 EJ/a) is well covered by the range, but constraints may occur in the long run locally. Amongst large countries, Nigeria and India may need imports to meet electricity demand.

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The main blank on our project is a lack of available funding.

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

Nearby

Origin

noun

From Middle English constreynt, constreynte, from Old French constreinte, past participle of constreindre (“to constrain”), from Latin cōnstringō (corresponding to the past participle cōnstrictus).