constraint

Etymology

From Middle English constreynt, constreynte, from Old French constreinte, past participle of constreindre (“to constrain”), from Latin cōnstringō (corresponding to the past participle cōnstrictus).

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation, General American) IPA^(key): /kənˈstɹeɪnt/
• (General Australian) IPA^(key): /kənˈstɹæɪnt/

  • Audio (General Australian):

    (file)

• Rhymes: -eɪnt

Noun

constraint (countable and uncountable, plural constraints)

1. Something that constrains; a restriction.

   Coordinate term: problem

   An engineer must recognize the difference between a constraint (to work within) and a problem (to be eliminated via resolution).

2. An irresistible force or compulsion.

   They confessed, but only under severe constraint.

3. The repression of one's feelings.

   (Can we add an example for this sense?)

4. (mathematics) A condition that a solution to an optimization problem must satisfy.
5. (databases) A linkage or other restriction that maintains database integrity.

Anagrams

• in contrast