restraining

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

re•strain /rɪˈstreɪn/   v. [~ + object]

1. to hold back from action;
   check;
   repress:
   He was so mad he could hardly restrain himself.
2. to limit or reduce the activity or effect of:
   to restrain trade with certain countries.

See -strain-.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

restrain / rɪˈstreɪn/ verb (transitive)

1. to hold (someone) back from some action, esp by force
2. to deprive (someone) of liberty, as by imprisonment
3. to limit or restrict

Etymology: 14th Century restreyne, from Old French restreindre, from Latin rēstringere to draw back tightly, from re- + stringere to draw, bind; see strain¹

reˈstrainable adjective