# constrain

> English word · Verb · IPA /kənˈstɹeɪn/ · frequency rank #36,089

## Definitions
1. To force physically, by strong persuasion or pressuring; to compel; to oblige.
2. To keep within close bounds; to confine.
3. To reduce a result in response to limited resources.

## Etymology
From Middle English constreinen, from Old French constreindre, from Latin cōnstringō, from cōn- (“with, together”) + stringō (“to draw, bind or tie tight”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *streyg- (“to stroke, to shear, stiff”).

## Easily confused with
- **contain** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/constrain-vs-contain)
- **constraint** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/constrain-vs-constraint)
- **constraints** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/constrain-vs-constraints)
- **constrained** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/constrain-vs-constrained)

## Common misspellings (14)
`cconstrain`, `cnostrain`, `connstrain`, `consrtain`, `consstrain`, `constarin`, `constrainn`, `constrani`, `constrian`, `constrrain`, `consttrain`, `contsrain`, `cosntrain`, `ocnstrain`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/constrain