# constraint

> English word · Noun · IPA /kənˈstɹeɪnt/ · frequency rank #20,072

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

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

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

## Common misspellings (16)
`cconstraint`, `cnostraint`, `connstraint`, `consrtaint`, `consstraint`, `constarint`, `constrainnt`, `constraintt`, `constraitn`, `constranit`, `constriant`, `constrraint`, `consttraint`, `contsraint`, `cosntraint`, `ocnstraint`

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