kənˈstɹeɪnt kənˈtɹəʊl kənˈt(ʃ)ɹoʊl ɹɪˈstɹeɪnt sɪmˈplɪsɪti the act of controlling by restraining someone or something the unlawful restraint of trade a device that retards something's motion the car did not have proper restraints fitted lack of ornamentation the room was simply decorated with great restraint discipline in personal and social activities he was a model of polite restraint she never lost control of herself a rule or condition that limits freedom legal restraints restraints imposed on imports the state of being physically constrained dogs should be kept under restraint