/ rɪˈstreɪnt; NAmE / noun
1.
[ C , usually pl. ] restraint (on sb/sth) a rule, a fact, an idea, etc. that limits or controls what people can do :
The government has imposed export restraints on some products.
➡ note at limit
2.
[ U ] the act of controlling or limiting sth because it is necessary or sensible to do so :
wage restraint
3.
[ U ] the quality of behaving calmly and with control
SYN self-control :
The police appealed to the crowd for restraint.
He exercised considerable restraint in ignoring the insults.
4.
[ U ] ( formal ) the use of physical force to control sb who is behaving in a violent way :
the physical restraint of prisoners
5.
[ C ] ( formal ) a type of seat belt or safety device :
Children must use an approved child restraint or adult seat belt.
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French restreinte , feminine past participle of restreindre hold back, from Latin restringere , from re- back + stringere to tie, pull tight.