/kənˈstreɪnt/
con·straint AW
BrE /kənˈstreɪnt/
NAmE /kənˈstreɪnt/
[C]
a thing that limits or restricts sth, or your freedom to do sth
SYN restriction
constraints of time/money/space
financial/economic/legal/political constraints
~ on sth
This decision will impose serious constraints on all schools.
limitrestriction ◇ control ◇ constraint ◇ restraint ◇ limitation
These are all words for sth that limits what you can do or what can happen.
limit the greatest or smallest amount of sth that is allowed：
The EU has set strict limits on pollution levels.
the speed limit
restriction (rather formal) a rule or law that limits what you can do：
There are no restrictions on the amount of money you can withdraw.
control (often in compounds) the act of limiting or managing sth; a method of doing this：
arms control
constraint (rather formal) a fact or decision that limits what you can do：
We have to work within severe constraints of time and money.
restraint (rather formal) a decision, a rule, an idea, etc. that limits what you can do; the act of limiting sth because it is necessary or sensible to do so：
The government has imposed export restraints on some products.
The unions are unlikely to accept any sort of wage restraint.
limitation the act or process of limiting sth; a rule, fact or condition that limits sth：
They would resist any limitation of their powers.
restriction, constraint, restraint or limitation?
These are all things that limit what you can do. A restriction is rule or law that is made by sb in authority. A constraint is sth that exists rather than sth that is made, although it may exist as a result of sb’s decision. A restraint is also sth that exists: it can exist outside yourself, as the result of sb else’s decision; but it can also exist inside you, as a fear of what other people may think or as your own feeling about what is acceptable.：
moral/social/cultural restraints
A limitation is more general and can be a rule that sb makes or a fact or condition that exists.
Patterns
limits/restrictions/controls/constraints/restraints/limitations on sth
limits/limitations to sth
severe limits/restrictions/controls/constraints/restraints/limitations
tight limits/restrictions/controls/constraints
to impose/remove limits/restrictions/controls/constraints/restraints/limitations
to lift restrictions/controls/constraints/restraints
[U]
strict control over the way that you behave or are allowed to behave
At last we could relax and talk without constraint.