limitation

noun

lim·​i·​ta·​tion ˌli-mə-ˈtā-shən 

1

: an act or instance of limiting

2

: the quality or state of being limited

3

: something that limits : restraint

4

: a certain period limited by statute after which actions, suits, or prosecutions cannot be brought in the courts

limitational

ˌli-mə-ˈtā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• bound
• boundary
• cap
• ceiling
• confines
• end
• extent
• limit
• line
• termination

Examples of limitation in a Sentence

a law aimed at the limitation of federal power

They have placed a limitation on the amount of time we have available.

Recent Examples on the Web

Several states have passed laws putting strict limitations or all-out bans into effect. —Danielle Marie Holland, Parents, 19 Apr. 2024

Image analysis is, and always has been, a huge part of astronomy, finding ways to see the cosmos beyond the limitations of our very limited human eyes. —Briley Lewis, Popular Science, 18 Apr. 2024

Cotton joined Republican colleagues in November in proposing a separate list of policy recommendations, which included stricter asylum standards and limitations on granting parole. —Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 18 Apr. 2024

The team meets the limitations of a beer and wine license with creative gumption, in the form of cocktails laced with sake and shochu. —Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2024

Iran’s first direct attack on Israel overnight Saturday demonstrated the country’s military might and the advances of its domestic weapons program, analysts said, while also revealing the limitations of its arsenal. —Nilo Tabrizy, Washington Post, 17 Apr. 2024

Stantec The limitations of current VR tools But the current VR tools are not universally hailed by architects or other professionals in the design space. —Andrew R. Chow, TIME, 16 Apr. 2024

Google is also currently changing its Incognito Mode to actually delete browser history in the fallout of a class action lawsuit over the privacy mode’s limitations. —Kyle Barr / Gizmodo, Quartz, 12 Apr. 2024

Learn More › Tungsten Super Shot is the hottest thing to hit the turkey hunting world since the pop-up blind, but still, so many hunters don’t understand its performance — or its limitations. —Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 10 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Kids Definition

limitation

noun

lim·​i·​ta·​tion ˌlim-ə-ˈtā-shən 

1

: the act or an instance of limiting

2

: the quality or state of being limited

3

: something that limits

Legal Definition

limitation

noun

lim·​i·​ta·​tion

1

a

: restriction

a limitation on the rights of ownership

b

: a statement or stipulation in a deed or will placing limits on the disposition of an estate or interest especially in regard to duration or heirs see also word of limitation

2

: a certain period limited by statute after which actions or prosecutions cannot be brought in the courts see also statute of limitations