Meaning of restraint In English

• 0 calm and controlled behaviour:

  • He showed admirable restraint, and refused to be provoked.

  • The security forces exercised (= used) great restraint by not responding to hostile attacks and threats.

  • government spending restraints

  • Lack of space is the main restraint on the firm's expansion plans.

  • During the recession, the government opted for a policy of pay/wage restraint rather than a reduction in public investment.

  • The two prisoners were kept under restraint while they were transported between prisons.

• 1 determined control over behavior in order to prevent the strong expression of emotion or any violent action:

  • [ U ] You really have to show a lot of restraint to stay out of debt.

  • [ C ] Social restraints seem to have become dangerously unrestrictive.

• 2 a rule or an agreement that limits the freedom of a person, organization, or country, or that prevents something from growing or increasing:

  • restraints on sth The bill urges the government to impose restraints on imports.

  • export/import restraints

  • budget restraints

  • financial/fiscal/spending restraints

• 3 the act of preventing something from growing or increasing:

  • The oil industry is exercising restraint.

• 4 an illegal agreement that damages someone's ability to do business:

  • Any contract which interferes with the free exercise of his trade or business is a contract in restraint of trade.