noun

constraint

kuhn-STRAYNT

noun

A limitation or restriction on what can be done.

"Budget constraints forced them to cut the project short."

"Time constraints meant the team had to work through the weekend."

A rule in mathematics, computing, or databases that a solution or entry must satisfy.

"The database enforces a constraint requiring every email to be unique."

How to Use Constraint

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA limit or rule that restricts what's possible.

Common pairings

budget constraint time constraint under constraint

constraints plural

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Can you complete this real example?

Budget _____ forced them to cut the project short.

From Old French constreinte, past participle of constreindre, "to constrain," from Latin constringere, "to bind tightly together."

paint saint faint taint quaint repaint acquaint complaint restraint