[Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/constrict.html)

[home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [dictionaries](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/) / [The school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/) / constrict

[← C](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/C/)

# constrict

«constrict» in Mova's school dictionary: **To make something narrower or tighter by squeezing it:…** — its meaning for a pupil, its sense in the lessons and examples.

### part of speech

verb (constrict, constricts, constricted, constricting)

### meaning for a pupil

1) To make something narrower or tighter by squeezing it: «The snake constricted its prey». [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/constrict/#m1)

2) (body) When blood vessels, pupils of the eye or airways get narrower: «Cold makes blood vessels constrict». [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/constrict/#m2)

3) To limit what someone can do: «Tight rules constricted the players». [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/constrict/#m3)

### sense in the lessons

In science, a boa constrictor or python kills by constricting (squeezing) its prey; in the body, blood vessels constrict in cold weather to keep heat in, and airways constrict during an asthma attack (an inhaler helps them open). In stories, a «constricted throat» or «tight, constricting clothes» show fear or discomfort. Phrases: «constrict blood vessels», «a constricted throat», «constricting clothes».

### examples

- The python constricts its prey until it stops breathing. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/constrict/#x1)
- In the cold, the blood vessels in your fingers constrict. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/constrict/#x2)
- During an asthma attack, the airways constrict, so it is hard to breathe. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/constrict/#x3)
- His throat constricted with fear. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/constrict/#x4)
- The tight collar constricted her neck. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/constrict/#x5)
- Bright light makes the pupils of your eyes constrict. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/constrict/#x6)
- Too many rules can constrict creativity. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/constrict/#x7)

### note

The noun is «constriction» and a snake that does this is a «constrictor». The opposite in the body is «dilate» (to get wider). Do not confuse with «restrict» (to limit by rules) or «construct» (to build).

### Trees and pragmatics

[Every meaning and example of «constrict» parsed by Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/constrict/), each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.