constraint

From Middle English, borrowed from Middle French constrainte, past participle of the verb constraindre (French: contraindre), ultimately from Latin constringo (corresponding to the past participle constrictus).

• IPA^(key): /kənˈstɹeɪnt/

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -eɪnt

constraint (countable and uncountable, plural constraints)

1. Something that constrains; a restriction.
2. An irresistible force or compulsion.
3. The repression of one's feelings.
4. (mathematics) A condition that a solution to an optimization problem must satisfy.
5. (databases) A linkage or other restriction that maintains database integrity.

• constraint satisfaction

• constrain
• constrict
• restraint

• constraint on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

• in contrast