Definition of restrain

• keep under control; keep in check; "suppress a smile"; "Keep your temper"; "keep your cool"
• place limits on (extent or access); "restrict the use of this parking lot"; "limit the time you can spend with your friends"
• to close within bounds, limit or hold back from movement; "This holds the local until the express passengers change trains"; "About a dozen animals were held inside the stockade"; "The illegal immigrants were held at a detention center"; "The terrorists held the journalists for ransom"