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Definition of restriction noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

restriction

noun
 OPAL W
 
/rɪˈstrɪkʃn/
 
/rɪˈstrɪkʃn/
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  1.  
    [countable] a rule or law that limits what you can do or what can happen
    • import/speed/travel 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.
    Synonyms limitlimitrestriction ▪ 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 limit
    restriction (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 control
    constraint (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
    Extra Examples
    • 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 have the potential to enforce restrictions such as no smoking policies.
    • a Senate bill that seeks to tighten restrictions on coal plant emissions
    • 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
    • Speed restrictions are in operation on the M4 due to poor visibility.
    • The hospital management has imposed a restriction on visiting hours.
    • They had to live for a month with certain restrictions on their freedom of movement.
    Topics Permission and obligationb2
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • draconian
    • harsh
    • severe
    • …
    verb + restriction
    • create
    • impose
    • introduce
    • …
    restriction + verb
    • affect something
    • apply
    • limit something
    • …
    restriction + noun
    • order
    preposition
    • with 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.
    Extra Examples
    • Citizens of the EU can travel without restriction within the EU.
    • another instance of the restriction of basic civil liberties
    • the health benefits of calorie restriction
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • draconian
    • harsh
    • severe
    • …
    verb + restriction
    • create
    • impose
    • introduce
    • …
    restriction + verb
    • affect something
    • apply
    • limit something
    • …
    restriction + noun
    • order
    preposition
    • with 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
    4. 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’.
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