Get the FREE one-click dictionary software for Windows
or the iPhone/iPad and Android apps
Noun: tightening  tI-t(u)n-ing
  1. The act of making something tighter
    "the tightening of economic controls"
Verb: tighten  tI-t(u)n
  1. Make tight or tighter
    "Tighten the wire";
    - fasten
     
  2. Become tight or tighter
    "The rope tightened"
     
  3. (of laws or regulations) make more restrictive, or impose greater penalties
    "tighten the rules";
    - stiffen, tighten up, constrain
     
  4. Narrow or limit
    "The bank tightened its lending criteria";
    - reduce

Derived forms: tightenings

Type of: adjustment, alter, alteration, bound, change, confine, limit, modification, modify, restrict, throttle, trammel

Antonym: laxation

Encyclopedia: Tighten