1. Strained; drawn close; tight; as, a strict embrace; a strict ligature. Dryden. 2. Tense; not relaxed; as, a strict fiber. 3. Exact; accurate; precise; rigorously nice; as, to keep strict watch; to pay strict attention. Shak. It shall be still in strictest measure. Milton. 4. Governed or governing by exact rules; observing exact rules; severe; rigorous; as, very strict in observing the Sabbath. ...