constriction
/kənˈstrɪkʃn/ (bre, ipa) · [kənstrˈɪkʃən] /kənˈstrɪkʃn/ (ame, ipa) · [kənstrˈɪkʃən] /kən-ˈstrik-shən How to pronounce constriction (audio)/ (ame, mw)
constriction — noun
- constrictionsingular
- constrictionsplural
1. the state or act of being squeezed into a smaller space, or the tight feeling th
the state or act of being squeezed into a smaller space, or the tight feeling this causes in the body.
The doctor checked for constriction in Salma's throat after the bee sting.
pattern: constriction in + body part
Cold water caused a sudden constriction of the blood vessels in Marco's hands.
pattern: constriction of + noun phrase
Near the finish line, Sana felt a painful constriction across her chest.
Workers cleared a muddy constriction from the pipe before the storm arrived.
The cave path narrowed into a rocky constriction just beyond the lanterns.
- narrowing
more neutral and often just describes shape, without the idea of pressure
- tightness
more everyday and often used for how the body feels rather than the physical change
- compression
more technical and often focuses on outside pressure
文法句型
constriction in + body part
constriction of + noun phrase
用法筆記
Often used for body parts, blood vessels, airways, and other passages. A countable use can name the narrow spot itself, while an uncountable use can name the process or bodily sensation.
2. a rule, cost, or other pressure that keeps someone or something within narrow li
a rule, cost, or other pressure that keeps someone or something within narrow limits.
Strict visa rules placed a new constriction on student travel this summer.
pattern: a constriction on + activity
The low budget became a constriction on what the library could buy.
New safety rules were a constriction on how fast the boats could go.
For small shops, rising rent is a real constriction on growth.
Many parents felt the phone ban was a useful constriction on screen time.
- limit
the most general everyday word for a boundary or cap
- restriction
more common for official or practical limits placed on action
- constraint
often used in planning or systems when options are narrowed by pressure
- freedom
the ability to act without outside limits
- flexibility
the ability to change plans instead of being tightly limited
文法句型
a constriction on + noun phrase
constriction of + noun phrase
用法筆記
Usually followed by 'on' when naming what is limited. This sense is more formal than limit and often appears with rules, costs, or conditions that reduce a person's choices.