the ability to control or moderate one's impulses, passions, etc the act of restraining or the state of being restrained something that restrains; restriction
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
re•straint /rɪˈstreɪnt/USA pronunciation
n.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- [uncountable] a restraining influence.
- a means of restraining:[countable]the restraints of society.
- a device that restrains, such as a harness:[countable]a child restraint for use in the car.
- reserve in feelings, behavior, etc.:[uncountable]speaking with restraint.
re•straint
(ri strānt′),USA pronunciation n.
- a restraining action or influence:freedom from restraint.
- Sometimes, restraints. a means of or device for restraining, as a harness for the body.
- the act of restraining, holding back, controlling, or checking.
- the state or fact of being restrained;
deprivation of liberty;
confinement. - constraint or reserve in feelings, behavior, etc.
- Middle French restrainte, noun, nominal use of feminine past participle of restraindre to restrain
- Middle English restreinte 1350–1400
- 4.See corresponding entry in Unabridged circumscription, restriction, imprisonment, incarceration.
- 4.See corresponding entry in Unabridged liberty.
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