Dictionary entry details
• CONSTRAINT (noun)
Meaning:
The state of being physically constrained
Classified under:
Nouns denoting stable states of affairs
Synonyms:
constraint; restraint
Context example:
dogs should be kept under restraint
Hypernyms ("constraint" is a kind of...):
confinement (the state of being confined)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "constraint"):
cage (something that restricts freedom as a cage restricts movement)
Meaning:
A device that retards something's motion
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Synonyms:
constraint; restraint
Context example:
the car did not have proper restraints fitted
Hypernyms ("constraint" is a kind of...):
device (an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "constraint"):
gag; muzzle (restraint put into a person's mouth to prevent speaking or shouting)
lead; leash; tether (restraint consisting of a rope (or light chain) used to restrain an animal)
ignition lock; lock (a restraint incorporated into the ignition switch to prevent the use of a vehicle by persons who do not have the key)
muzzle (a leather or wire restraint that fits over an animal's snout (especially a dog's nose and jaws) and prevents it from eating or biting)
life belt; safety belt; safety harness (belt attaching you to some object as a restraint in order to prevent you from getting hurt)
drogue; sea anchor (restraint consisting of a canvas covered frame that floats behind a vessel; prevents drifting or maintains the heading into a wind)
bond; hamper; shackle; trammel (a restraint that confines or restricts freedom (especially something used to tie down or restrain a prisoner))
trammel (a restraint that is used to teach a horse to amble)
fastener; fastening; fixing; holdfast (restraint that attaches to something or holds something in place)
chain (anything that acts as a restraint)
air bag (a safety restraint in an automobile; the bag inflates on collision and prevents the driver or passenger from being thrown forward)
airbrake; dive brake (a small parachute or articulated flap to reduce the speed of an aircraft)
arrester; arrester hook (a restraint that slows airplanes as they land on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier)
band (a restraint put around something to hold it together)
brake (a restraint used to slow or stop a vehicle)
brake pad (one of the pads that apply friction to both sides of the brake disk)
brake shoe; shoe; skid (a restraint provided when the brake linings are moved hydraulically against the brake drum to retard the wheel's rotation)
catch; stop (a restraint that checks the motion of something)
Meaning:
The act of constraining; the threat or use of force to control the thoughts or behavior of others
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Hypernyms ("constraint" is a kind of...):
restriction (the act of keeping something within specified bounds (by force if necessary))
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "constraint"):
swaddling clothes (restrictions placed on the immature)
