Straitjacket: meaning, definitions and examples

Commonly used in medical or psychiatric contexts to describe a garment used to restrain patients who are experiencing severe mental health crises or violent behavior. It can also be used metaphorically to describe any restrictive situation.

• The patient was placed in a straitjacket for his own safety.
• The rigid rules of the company felt like a straitjacket to the creative team.

This term is more technical and specific, often used in medical or correctional settings when referring to any type of jacket used to restrain an individual. It is less common in everyday speech.

• The nurse carefully fastened the restraint jacket on the agitated patient.
• The inmate was put into a restraint jacket after his behavior became uncontrollable.

An alternative term for a straitjacket, but is less commonly used. Mainly appears in specific texts or historical contexts.

• In the old asylum, the use of the strait vest was a daily occurrence.