Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • adjective Imposing rigorous standards of performance; severe.
  • adjective Constricted; tight.
  • adjective Characterized by scarcity of money, credit restrictions, or other financial strain.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • Tightening or binding; drawing tight.
  • Straitened; tight; constrained; hampered by scarcity or lack of available funds: as, a stringent money-market.
  • Strict; close; rigorous; rigid; exacting; urgent: as, to make stringent regulations.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adjective Binding strongly; making strict requirements; restrictive; rigid; severe.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective Strict; binding strongly; making strict requirements; restrictive; rigid; severe

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective demanding strict attention to rules and procedures

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Latin stringēns, stringent-, present participle of stringere, to draw tight; see streig- in Indo-European roots.]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From Latin stringens, stringentem, from stringō.

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Examples

  • Would it be ironic though to point out that writing within stringent constraints is a hallmark of “experimental” fiction?

    Rebel Tales « 2009

  • It was that the guidelines that had protected them and their business for years were too stringent from a financial standpoint to allow minorities by and large to qualify in the same numbers as non-minorities (honkeys, if you will).

    Your Right Hand Thief 2008

  • The Company produces high-end, high-precision, ultra-thin, high-strength, cold-rolled steel products that are characterized by stringent performance and specification requirements that mandate a high degree of manufacturing and engineering expertise.

    unknown title 2011

  • Due to a number of factors, namely the stringent co-op system that frightens so many first-time buyers, Manhattan has not been hit the way the rest of the country has.

    Pauline Millard: Quality Reporting Is Key When Writing About The Housing Market 2009

  • Despite the so-called stringent laws, Indians still come across dreadful and fearful stories when the minor children of the country are forced to tie the nuptial knots even when their body and mind are not ready for any such relation at a tiny age.

    Early Child Marriages Still Prevalent in India 2008

  • These days, of course, the rules aren't quite as stringent, which is a Good Thing.

    Archive 2007-07-01 Susan Palwick 2007

  • Parents can also promote safety by urging officials to call stringent games.

    When Safety Is The Name Of The Game 2007

  • These days, of course, the rules aren't quite as stringent, which is a Good Thing.

    Behold Eck! Susan Palwick 2007

  • An anonymous pamphlet has been circulating condemning the so - called stringent measures taken by Rev Tselapedi to curb the misuse of government vehicles.

    ANC Daily News Briefing 1994

  • The O.F.S. had made what Mr. Merriman called stringent laws.

    Chapter II Solomon Tshekisho 1916

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