Restricted

/rɪˈstrɪktɪd/

adjectivemedium📊CommonLimitation
2 meanings2 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

Subject to limitations or controls; confined.

/rɪˈstrɪktɪd/

adjectiveneutralmedium
Limitation

Limited or controlled; kept within certain limits.

The park has restricted hours for visitors.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're building a super-secret clubhouse. If the sign says 'Restricted Access,' it means only a few people are allowed in, keeping everyone else out.

👶 For kids: When something is restricted, it means you're not allowed to do it or go there.

More Examples

2

The use of mobile phones is restricted in the library.

3

Due to the storm, travel on the highways was restricted.

How It's Used

Law

"Access to the classified documents is highly restricted."

Medical

"The patient was placed on a restricted diet."

Travel

"Travel to some areas may be restricted."

2

Having been limited; constrained.

/rɪˈstrɪktɪd/

verb (past participle)neutralmedium
Action

Having been limited or controlled.

The use of the internet has been restricted at school.

💡 Simply: The game's high scores were restricted to a certain group of players.

👶 For kids: Something was not allowed, but used to be.

More Examples

2

The supply of water was restricted during the drought.

3

Access to the building had been restricted to employees only.

How It's Used

General

"The sale of the land was restricted to local residents."

Technology

"The software's use was restricted to specific purposes."

Tip:Think of something being previously limited or kept under control.

Idioms & expressions

Restricted area

A place where access is limited.

"The sign indicated a restricted area, and entry was prohibited."

Restricted diet

A diet that limits the types or amounts of food allowed.

"The doctor put him on a restricted diet after his surgery."

From Latin *restrictus*, past participle of *restringere* 'to restrain, bind back,' from *re-* 'back' + *stringere* 'to draw tight, bind.'

The word has been used since the late 14th century, initially referring to limitation or restraint, later to more specific controls like access.

Memory tip

Think of a rope that is restricted: it's held back and can't go everywhere.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"to restrain, bind back"

restricted arearestricted accessrestricted diethighly restrictedstrictly restrictedrestricted hoursrestricted userestricted to

Common misspellings

restictedrestricedrestrected

Usage

30%Spoken
70%Written