restriction

/rɪˈstrɪkʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /rɪˈstrɪkʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /ri-ˈstrik-shən/ (ame, mw)

restriction — noun

  • restrictionsingular
  • restrictionsplural

1. An official limit set by a government or other authority that controls what peop

1.名詞B2
釋義

An official limit set by a government or other authority that controls what people may do.

例句

The government introduced new restrictions on international travel last month.

Imran had to cancel the outdoor concert because of strict noise restrictions.

collocation: strict / tight / severe restrictions

同義詞
  • regulation

    more formal; always an official written rule, not just any limit

  • rule

    broader in meaning; can refer to any guideline, not just imposed limits

  • limit

    simpler and more general; can be natural or chosen, not necessarily official

反義詞
  • permission

    the opposite of being restricted — having the freedom to do something

文法句型

restriction + on + noun phrase

用法筆記

Frequently used in the plural (restrictions) when referring to multiple specific rules. Often followed by the preposition 'on' to specify what is being limited.

常見錯誤

❌The restriction of the room was small.
✅The room had restrictions on how many guests could stay.
💡'restriction' refers to a rule or limit, not a physical measurement like size.
❌I have a restriction in my back.
✅I have a limitation in my back movement.
💡'restriction' is an imposed rule or condition, not a physical inability of the body.

2. A condition or factor that limits what someone can do, how much they can achieve

2.名詞B2
釋義

A condition or factor that limits what someone can do, how much they can achieve, or how they can behave.

例句

The main restriction on Defne's travel plans was her limited budget.

restriction + on + [something] — preposition pattern

Age restrictions prevent children under twelve from riding the roller coaster alone.

同義詞
  • limitation

    can be internal or natural, not necessarily imposed by an outside force

  • constraint

    suggests a force that restricts by narrowing options, often used in planning contexts

  • condition

    broader; a circumstance that must exist for something else to happen

反義詞
  • freedom

    the ability to act without limitations

  • flexibility

    the quality of being able to adapt rather than being bound by limits

文法句型

restriction + on + noun phrase

restriction + that-clause

用法筆記

Unlike sense 1 (OFFICIAL RULE), this sense does not require the limit to come from a government or authority — it can be a practical or circumstantial factor such as budget, time, or physical ability.

常見錯誤

❌This restriction keeps me from getting better at piano.
✅This limitation keeps me from getting better at piano.
💡'restriction' usually implies an external rule or condition, while 'limitation' can refer to personal ability.
❌There is a restriction on how fast I can run.
✅There is a limit on how fast I can run.
💡'restriction' is for rules or conditions; 'limit' is better for natural physical boundaries.

3. The process of placing limits on someone or something, or the condition of havin

3.名詞B2
釋義

The process of placing limits on someone or something, or the condition of having limits placed on you.

例句

Sivan agreed to the restriction of her phone use during the final exam week.

restriction + of + [noun] — uncountable use

The restriction of water supplies during the dry season affected local farmers badly.

同義詞
  • limiting

    more direct and less formal; describes the action itself rather than the abstract process

  • control

    broader; can mean management or regulation, not necessarily strict limitation

  • curtailment

    more formal; means cutting something short or reducing it significantly

反義詞
  • expansion

    the act of making something larger or less limited

  • relaxation

    the act of making limits less strict

文法句型

restriction + of + noun phrase

restriction + on + noun phrase

用法筆記

This sense is uncountable and names the general process or state rather than specific rules. It typically follows the pattern 'restriction of + noun', unlike senses 1 and 2 which describe individual rules or conditions.

常見錯誤

❌The restriction of foreign aid was very strict.
✅The restrictions on foreign aid were very strict.
💡Use the countable plural form when referring to specific rules; the uncountable form describes the general process.
❌Many restrictions of water use were introduced.
✅Many restrictions on water use were introduced.
💡The countable sense uses 'on', not 'of', to specify what is limited.