WordGarden.iorestrict
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /rɪstrˈɪkt/
US
- /riˈstrɪkt/
Meanings
Verb
to limit, reduce, or keep something within bounds
to officially limit or control something by rule, law, or policy
Beyond the definition
To restrict something means to put limits on it, like telling a child they can only have one cookie or setting rules about where a dog can go in the house. It is about controlling access, movement, or choice. A doctor might restrict your diet after an illness, which means you cannot eat certain foods. Governments sometimes restrict travel during a crisis, limiting who can enter or leave a country. You can also feel restricted, like when you are stuck in a small space or held back by rules that seem unfair. Think of it as setting boundaries, whether they are physical or made by rules.
The word "restrict" means to put limitations on something, controlling its size, amount, access, or freedom. It's more than just slowing something down; it's actively preventing it from going further or being fully expressed.
You might restrict a dog to a certain area of the house with a baby gate, or a city council might restrict building heights in a historic district. Restrictions can be physical—like handcuffs restricting movement—but they're often about rules and regulations. A website might restrict access to certain content based on your location.
"Restrict" also has a more subtle meaning relating to personal feelings. You might feel restricted by a demanding job or by societal expectations that don't align with your values. This sense of restriction implies a lack of freedom or opportunity for self-expression. A writer might say they felt "restricted" by the conventions of a particular genre.
The word comes from the Latin restringere, meaning "to draw tight." Think of tightening a belt—you're restricting its looseness!
So, whether it's about physical boundaries, legal limitations, or personal feelings, to restrict is to limit, confine, or hold something back—creating a boundary that defines what can and cannot happen.
Examples
- 1
Emergency access
During the fire, police restricted access to the building.
- 2
Parenting
Many parents restrict screen time on school nights.
- 3
Customer eligibility
The discount is restricted to first-time customers.
- Patternrestricted to + group
only available for that group
- 4
Age limits
The new law restricts the sale of e-cigarettes to adults.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Medical limits
After the injury, the doctor restricted him to light exercise for two weeks.
- Patternrestrict someone to + allowed thing
allow only that thing
- 6
Foreign investment
Some countries restrict foreign companies from buying farmland.
- Patternrestrict someone from + -ing
limit or stop that action
- 7
Business limits
A tight budget can restrict what a small business can do.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Do not confuse
Used with (collocations)
- restrict access
- restrict movement
- restrict the use of
- restrict someone to something
Word family
Explore
- control
- access control
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- restrictverb
Forms
- restrictedpast tenseverb
- restricting-ing formverb
- restrictsverb