/ strɪkt; NAmE / adjective ( strict·er , strict·est )
1.
that must be obeyed exactly :
strict rules / regulations / discipline
She left strict instructions that she was not to be disturbed.
He told me in the strictest confidence (= on the understanding that I would tell nobody else) .
She's on a very strict diet.
2.
demanding that rules, especially rules about behaviour, should be obeyed :
a strict teacher / parent / disciplinarian
She's very strict about things like homework.
They were always very strict with their children.
3.
obeying the rules of a particular religion, belief, etc. exactly :
a strict Muslim
a strict vegetarian
4.
[ usually before noun ] very exact and clearly defined :
It wasn't illegal in the strict sense (of the word) .
► strict·ness noun [ U ]
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (in the sense restricted in space or extent ): from Latin strictus , past participle of stringere tighten, draw tight.