restraint
noun
re·straint
ri-ˈstrānt 
1
a
: an act of restraining : the state of being restrained
b(1)
: a means of restraining : a restraining force or influence
(2)
: a device that restricts movement
a restraint for children riding in cars
2
: a control over the expression of one's emotions or thoughts
Examples of restraint in a Sentence
Make sure the child safety restraint is in place.
The prisoner was placed in restraints.
His angry response showed a lack of restraint.
The government has acted with restraint in dealing with this crisis.
Recent Examples on the Web
Advertisement My biggest takeaway from this formula and its ubiquity is that users can develop healthier social media feeds, but doing so takes restraint and intentionality.
—
Noah Giansiracusa, Time, 7 Aug. 2025
While candidates largely avoided major mishaps, the tech was used with little guidance or restraint.
—Makena Kelly, Wired News, 6 Aug. 2025
Russia urged restraint on Monday after President Donald Trump ordered the redeployment of two nuclear submarines in response to remarks recently made by Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Aug. 2025
Arizona law requires children under the age of five must be in a child restraint system.
—Shelby Slade, AZCentral.com, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for restraint
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Noah Giansiracusa, Time, 7 Aug. 2025
While candidates largely avoided major mishaps, the tech was used with little guidance or restraint.
—Makena Kelly, Wired News, 6 Aug. 2025
Russia urged restraint on Monday after President Donald Trump ordered the redeployment of two nuclear submarines in response to remarks recently made by Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Aug. 2025
Arizona law requires children under the age of five must be in a child restraint system.
—Shelby Slade, AZCentral.com, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for restraint
Cite this Entry
“Restraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/restraint. Accessed 10 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
restraint
noun
re·straint
ri-ˈstrānt
1
: the act of restraining : the state of being restrained
held in restraint
2
: a restraining force or influence
3
: control over one's behavior
act with restraint
Medical Definition
restraint
noun
re·straint
ri-ˈstrānt
: a device that restricts movement
restraints such as straitjackets for violent patients
Legal Definition
restraint
noun
re·straint
ri-ˈstrānt
1
a
: an act or fact of restraining see also prior restraint
b
: the state of being restrained
2
a
: a means of restraining
b
: a device that restricts movement (as of prisoners or violent psychiatric patients)
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