- 1 [countable] a rule or law that limits what you can do or what can happen import/speed/travel, etc. restrictions restriction on something to impose/place a restriction on something The government has agreed to lift restrictions on press freedom. There are no restrictions on the amount of money you can withdraw. Synonymslimitrestriction control constraint restraint limitationThese are all words for something that limits what you can do or what can happen.limit the greatest or smallest amount of something that is allowed:The EU has set strict limits on pollution levels. the speed limitrestriction (rather formal) a rule or law that limits what you can do:There are no restrictions on the amount of money you can withdraw.control (often in compounds) the act of limiting or managing something; a method of doing this:arms controlconstraint (rather formal) a fact or decision that limits what you can do:We have to work within severe constraints of time and money.restraint (rather formal) a decision, a rule, an idea, etc. that limits what you can do; the act of limiting something because it is necessary or sensible to do so:The government has imposed export restraints on some products. The unions are unlikely to accept any sort of wage restraint.limitation the act or process of limiting something; a rule, fact or condition that limits something:They would resist any limitation of their powers.restriction, constraint, restraint or limitation? These are all things that limit what you can do. A restriction is rule or law that is made by somebody in authority. A constraint is something that exists rather than something that is made, although it may exist as a result of somebody’s decision. A restraint is also something that exists: it can exist outside yourself, as the result of somebody else’s decision; but it can also exist inside you, as a fear of what other people may think or as your own feeling about what is acceptable:moral/social/cultural restraints. A limitation is more general and can be a rule that somebody makes or a fact or condition that exists.Patterns limits/restrictions/controls/constraints/restraints/limitations on something limits/limitations to something severe limits/restrictions/controls/constraints/restraints/limitations tight limits/restrictions/controls/constraints to impose/remove limits/restrictions/controls/constraints/restraints/limitations to lift restrictions/controls/constraints/restraints Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivedraconian, harsh, severe, … verb + restrictioncreate, impose, introduce, … restriction + verbaffect something, apply, limit something, … restriction + nounorder prepositionwith restriction, with no restriction, without restriction, … See full entry
- 2[uncountable] the act of limiting or controlling somebody/something sports clothes that prevent any restriction of movement A diet to lose weight relies on calorie restriction in order to obtain results. Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivedraconian, harsh, severe, … verb + restrictioncreate, impose, introduce, … restriction + verbaffect something, apply, limit something, … restriction + nounorder prepositionwith restriction, with no restriction, without restriction, … See full entry
- 3[countable] a thing that limits the amount of freedom you have the restrictions of a prison Word Originlate Middle English: from Old French, or from Latin restrictio(n-), from restringere ‘bind fast, confine’, from re- ‘back’ + stringere ‘to tie, pull tight’. Wordfinderfreedomallow, emancipation, freedom, imprisonment, independence, liberty, oppress, restriction, rule, slaveExtra examples Citizens of the EU can travel without restriction within the EU. Confidentiality restrictions prevent me from giving any names. He doesn’t put any restrictions on me. The 30 mph speed restriction applies in all built-up areas. The government has introduced tough new import restrictions. The press asked for restrictions on reporting the war to be lifted. The regulations were seen as a restriction on personal freedom. The removal of petty restrictions has made life easier. The restriction was relaxed in 2002. The right of sale is subject to certain restrictions. They had to live for a month with certain restrictions on their freedom of movement. They have the potential to enforce restrictions such as no smoking policies. a Senate bill that seeks to tighten restrictions on coal plant emissions another instance of the restriction of basic civil liberties arbitrary restrictions on medicines free movement of goods between member countries without any artificial restrictions plans to create further vehicle restrictions in the city restrictions that limit access to land and raw materials the dietary restrictions of Judaism the health benefits of calorie restriction Speed restrictions are in operation on the M4 due to poor visibility. The hospital management has imposed a restriction on visiting hours.
Check pronunciation: restriction
