constraint

Everyday

1. Something that limits or controls what you can do (time constraints, money constraints). tree →
2. (maths, design) A condition or rule that an answer or design must follow. tree →
3. Holding back your feelings or actions; a lack of freedom. tree →

In the lessons

In design and technology, a design brief has constraints: budget, size, materials. In maths, a problem's constraints are the rules the answer must obey (whole numbers only, under 10). In everyday life, families have time and money constraints. It tells the reader there is a limit. Phrases: «time constraints», «under constraint», «budget constraints».

Examples

• Because of time constraints, we could only visit one museum. tree →
• The constraint was that the bridge must hold 1 kg. tree →
• Money constraints mean we can't go abroad this year. tree →
• In the puzzle, the constraint is that each number is used once. tree →
• A design brief lists all the constraints. tree →
• He spoke without constraint about his feelings. tree →
• He, however, only laughed at her advice, saying, that his father had always kept him in too great constraint, and that now he rejoiced at his new-found liberty. tree →

Note

Countable when meaning a limit: constraints. Verb: constrain. In maths word problems, constraints narrow down the possible answers: e.g. «both numbers are even and add up to 10» rules out 3 + 7.

In Jewish tradition

A burden or hardship laid upon the body, like a heavy load or bond.

Interpretation. Tradition reads the psalm as Israel's memory of being oppressed, then brought out to freedom.

Examples

• Thou didst bring us into the hold; Thou didst lay constraint upon our loins. (Writings PSA.66.11, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable when meaning a limit: constraints. Verb: constrain. In maths word problems, constraints narrow down the possible answers: e.g. «both numbers are even and add up to 10» rules out 3 + 7.