What does restraint mean?
Restraint most often means the deliberate control of an impulse, emotion, or action. A person who shows restraint may resist anger, remain calm under provocation, or avoid saying something that would be inappropriate. The word can also describe moderation more generally, as in the careful restraint of spending or criticism. In technical and legal contexts, a restraint is a device or condition that limits movement, access, or action. The term carries a generally positive connotation when it suggests self-control, although it can imply undue inhibition in phrases such as excessive restraint. Derived from the Latin restringere, meaning “to draw back tightly,” restraint is related to words such as constrain, restrict, and stringent.
The act of holding back or controlling an impulse, emotion, or action; moderation or self-control.
"He exercised restraint and did not reply to the insulting message."
Often implies deliberate control, especially of anger, speech, or conduct.
A means of restricting or limiting movement, access, or action.
"The car’s safety restraints were checked before the journey."
Plural is used for individual acts or instances of restraint and for limiting devices or conditions.
"The officials imposed several restraints on the organization."
Restraint comes from the Latin restringere, literally “to draw back tightly”: it describes the deliberate effort to hold back what would otherwise rush forward.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does restraint come from?
The English word restraint was formed in the late medieval period from the Anglo-Norman French restraint, which was derived from restrain. Restrain ultimately comes from Latin restringere, a compound of re- “back” and stringere “to draw tight, bind.” The same Latin roots are reflected in cognates such as constrain and restrict, while stringent ultimately belongs to the related Latin root stringere.
Related word forms
How restraint is actually used
In its most common sense, restraint often suggests deliberate self-control and is typically approving when used of people, but it can also suggest excessive inhibition. In legal and technical contexts, “a restraint” means a restriction or limiting device, especially one controlling movement or property.
Easily confused with restraint
Restraint is the noun meaning control or the act of holding back, whereas restrain is the verb meaning to prevent or limit someone or something.