To restrain means to hold back or keep under control. When you restrain yourself from blurting out the answer in class, you're controlling the urge to speak even though you really want to. When a leash restrains a dog from chasing after squirrels, it physically prevents the dog from running off.

Restraint can be physical, like seat belts that restrain passengers in a car during sudden stops, or internal, like when you restrain your temper during an argument with a sibling. Police officers sometimes need to restrain someone who's breaking the law or acting dangerously.

The word often appears in situations involving self-control or discipline. A person who eats with restraint stops when they're full rather than gobbling down every dessert in sight. An athlete might need to restrain their competitive energy during practice so they don't get injured before the big game.

Restraint (the noun form) means the act of holding back or the quality of self-control. Someone who shows restraint knows when to stop, wait, or moderate their behavior. It's not about never doing something. It's about knowing when and how much is appropriate.