/ ˈstrɪndʒənt; NAmE / adjective ( formal )
1.
( of a law, rule, regulation, etc. ) very strict and that must be obeyed :
stringent air quality regulations
2.
( of financial conditions ) difficult and very strictly controlled because there is not much money :
the government's stringent economic policies
► strin·gency / -nsi; NAmE / noun [ U ]:
a period of financial stringency
► strin·gent·ly adverb :
The rules are stringently enforced.
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 17th cent. (in the sense compelling, convincing ): from Latin stringent- drawing tight, from the verb stringere .