noun
Uncommon
restraint
rih-STRAYNT
Restraint (noun) means a device or measure that holds something back or keeps it secure. Example: “The child seat has a five-point restraint to keep the toddler safe.”
noun
1
A device or measure that holds something back or keeps it secure.
"The child seat has a five-point restraint to keep the toddler safe."
"Security fitted a physical restraint after the patient became violent."
"Drivers must make sure the dog is held by a proper restraint in the car."
2
Self-control; the quality of holding back from acting on every impulse.
"He showed remarkable restraint and didn't respond to the insult."
"The design uses restraint, favouring a few clean elements over clutter."
"With great restraint, she waited until everyone had finished speaking before replying."
How to use restraint
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a physical thing that holds someone back, or the personal discipline of not overreacting.
Common pairings
show restraint
exercise restraint
physical restraint
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Word forms
- Plural
- restraints
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The child seat has a five-point _____ to keep the toddler safe.
Etymology
From Old French restreinte, tied to the verb restrain — "to draw back tightly."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
unrestraint
Related words
Rhymes for restraint
See all rhymes for restraint →Frequently asked questions
What does “restraint” mean?
The word “restraint” means a device or measure that holds something back or keeps it secure. In plain terms, either a physical thing that holds someone back, or the personal discipline of not overreacting.
How do you pronounce “restraint”?
“Restraint” is pronounced rih-STRAYNT (/ɹɪˈstɹeɪnt/ in IPA).
How do you use “restraint” in a sentence?
Here is “restraint” used in a sentence: “The child seat has a five-point restraint to keep the toddler safe.”
What part of speech is “restraint”?
“Restraint” is a noun.
Where does the word “restraint” come from?
The word “restraint” comes from Old French. From Old French restreinte, tied to the verb restrain — "to draw back tightly.".
Is “restraint” a common word?
“Restraint” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “restraint” have?
“Restraint” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a device or measure that holds something back or keeps it secure.
What is the difference between restraint and self-control?
Restraint and self-control are closely related, both referring to holding back from acting on every impulse, but restraint can also describe a physical device or measure that holds something back, such as a car's seat restraint. Self-control refers specifically to an internal, personal quality rather than a physical object.
What is the difference between restraint and restriction?
Restraint often refers to a deliberate act of holding back or a device that secures something, frequently with a positive or protective connotation, while restriction refers to a limit or rule placed on freedom or action, often imposed externally. Showing restraint is usually a choice, while facing a restriction is usually imposed by someone or something else.
When is restraint used in a physical sense versus a behavioral sense?
In a physical sense, restraint refers to a device or measure that holds something back or keeps it secure, such as a safety restraint in a vehicle. In a behavioral sense, restraint refers to self-control, such as showing restraint by not reacting angrily to provocation.
