re ‧ stric ‧ tion W3 AC /rɪˈstrɪkʃ ə n/ BrE AmE noun
[ Word Family: adjective : ↑ restricted ≠ UNRESTIRCTED , ↑ restrictive ; verb : ↑ restrict ; noun : ↑ restriction ]
1 . [countable] a rule or law that limits or controls what people can do
restriction on
restrictions on immigration
a 50 mph speed restriction
trade/travel restrictions
impose/place restrictions on something
The law imposed new financial restrictions on private companies.
strict/tough/tight restriction
tougher restrictions on alcohol advertising
lift/remove a restriction
Restrictions on trade were lifted.
2 . [uncountable] when you restrict the size, amount, or range of something
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ put/place restrictions on something
The authorities placed strict restrictions on diamond exports.
▪ impose restrictions formal (=put restrictions on something)
Some countries have imposed restrictions on advertising aimed at children.
▪ introduce restrictions
Nine other states now plan to introduce similar restrictions.
▪ lift/remove restrictions
He promised to lift restrictions on press freedom.
▪ tighten restrictions (=make them stricter)
The government recently tightened restrictions on police use of firearms.
▪ relax/ease restrictions (=make them less strict)
There are restrictions on travel to Cuba by American citizens.
▪ a restriction applies to somebody/something
These travel restrictions don’t apply to tourists.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + restrictions
▪ severe/strict restrictions
The regime had put severe restrictions upon the media.
▪ tough restrictions (=strict)
He called for tougher restrictions on contributions to political parties.
▪ petty restrictions (=that seem unreasonable and unnecessary)
The removal of petty restrictions has made it much easier to do business.
▪ speed restrictions
Drivers are ignoring speed restrictions.
▪ an age restriction
Employers can no longer place age restrictions on applicants.
▪ trade restrictions (=on the sale of goods between countries)
Trade restrictions between the islands were removed.
▪ import/export restrictions (=trade restrictions)
Import restrictions on manufactured goods have been lifted.
▪ travel restrictions
The Home Secretary placed travel restrictions on supporters with convictions for violence.
▪ planning restrictions (=legal restrictions on what buildings can be built somewhere)
There are government proposals to relax planning restrictions on green belt areas around cities.
▪ parking restrictions
Are there parking restrictions in the city centre?
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ rule an instruction that says what people are allowed to do or not allowed to do, for example in a game, school, or company:
the rules of baseball
|
He disobeyed the school rules.
▪ law an official rule that everyone in a country, city, or state must obey:
It is against the law to carry a concealed weapon.
|
The law requires motorcyclists to wear helmets.
▪ regulation an official rule or order, which is part of a set of rules made by a government or organization:
the regulations for applying for a passport
|
building regulations
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environmental regulations on air pollution
▪ restriction an official rule that limits what people can do:
new restrictions on immigration
|
The government is planning to impose regulations on the amount of alcohol you can bring into the country.
▪ guidelines rules or instructions about the best way to do something:
the Department of Health’s guidelines for a healthy diet
|
guidelines for classroom teachers
▪ code a set of rules that people or organizations agree to obey but are not forced to obey:
The school has a dress code for its students.
|
the company’s code of conduct
▪ statute formal a law that has been officially approved by a parliament, council etc, and written down:
The statute banned corporal punishment.
▪ ordinance American English a law, made by a city or town, that forbids or restricts an activity:
A local ordinance limited speed in the parks to ten miles an hour.