constraint

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

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

  • Audio (AU)

    (file)

• Rhymes: -eɪnt

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.

   (Can we add an example for this sense?)

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.

• budget constraint
• constraint cluster
• constraint logic programming
• constraint satisfaction
• constraintive
• Hamiltonian constraint
• holonomic constraint
• integrity constraint
• liquidity constraint
• markedness constraint
• multiconstraint
• subconstraint
• theory of constraints

• constrain
• constrict
• restraint

• constraint on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

• in contrast