Definition of limit
1a : something that bounds, restrains, or confines the age limit for junior golfb : the utmost extent pushed her body to the limit
2a : a geographic or political boundaryb limits plural : the place enclosed within a boundary : bounds into the limits of the North they came — John Milton
3 : limitation the sadness is without limit — William Shakespeare
4 : a determining feature or differentia in logic
5 : a prescribed maximum or minimum amount, quantity, or number: such asa : the maximum quantity of game or fish that may be taken legally in a specified periodb : a maximum established for a gambling bet, raise, or payoff
6a : a number whose numerical difference from a mathematical function is arbitrarily small for all values of the independent variables that are sufficiently close to but not equal to given prescribed numbers or that are sufficiently large positively or negativelyb : a number that for an infinite sequence of numbers is such that ultimately each of the remaining terms of the sequence differs from this number by less than any given positive amount
7 : something that is exasperating or intolerable We've had bad weather, but this is the limit.
limitlessly
adverblimitlessness
nounFrom the M-W Editors
Examples of limit in a Sentence
He has reached the limit of his endurance.
In training, she pushed her body to its physical limits.
He tries to be creative within the limits of conventional journalism.
There are limits to what I can put up with from him!
Recent Examples of limit from the Web
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Some of the biggest cities, like Beijing, have recently tried to curb real estate speculation with administrative limits, but these rules have had limited effect, as credit has stayed plentiful.
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A ticket to the ale fest gave the holder a chance to taste 18 3-ounce servings of craft beer – a limit of 54 ounces to ensure festival-goers drink responsibly.
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The architects of the checks-and-balance system were famously concerned not simply about balance in policy but also about limits on the grandiose and power-mad.
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Picnic on Mars Photo by Lisa Corson As far as the city’s outer limits go, Vasquez Rocks is the only spot that’s hosted Zanti ant men, John Carter’s lumbering Thoats, and a reptilian Gorn slain by Captain Kirk.
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Rural productivity growth is slowing as farmers approach the limits of what can be done on their small plots.
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California’s existing program, known as cap and trade, puts a limit on the state’s overall greenhouse gas emissions and requires polluters to buy and trade allowances to emit carbon.
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So Wilkinson, who performed a similar study in 2012, before the removal of age limits, decided to do a follow-up study.
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Term limits would be an effective tool against career politicians and, hopefully, preventing majorities and alliances forming.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'limit.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of limit
Middle English, from Anglo-French limite, from Latin limit-, limes boundary
limit
Definition of limit
limiter
nounExamples of limit in a Sentence
We need to find ways to limit expenses.
He tried to limit the damage to his reputation by blaming other people.
A factor limiting our country's economic performance is its lack of resources.
Our lack of money limits our options.
Because of our lack of money, we have to limit ourselves to fewer options.
Recent Examples of limit from the Web
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The overall goal of the Paris Agreement is to keep a global temperature rise this century well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
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Reservations are strongly encouraged, as space is limited.
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Believe it or not, your color choices aren't limited to orange and red.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'limit.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of limit
see 1limit
Synonym Discussion of limit
LIMIT Defined for English Language Learners
limit
playDefinition of limit for English Language Learners
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: a point beyond which it is not possible to go
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: a point beyond which someone is not allowed to go
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: an amount or number that is the highest or lowest allowed
limit
Definition of limit for English Language Learners
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: to stop or prevent an increase in (something) : to keep (something) from becoming greater
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: to prevent (something) from being larger, longer, more, etc. : to place a limit on the size or extent of (something)
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: to stop (someone) from having or doing more : to place a limit on (someone)
LIMIT Defined for Kids
Definition of limit for Students
1 : a point beyond which it is impossible to go She runs often, but she knows her limits.
2 : an amount or number that is the lowest or highest allowed After I spent my limit, I went home.
3 : a boundary line the city limits
Definition of limit for Students
limited
;limiting
: to place a control on the size or extent of something I need to limit expenses.
Learn More about limit
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for limit Spanish Central: Translation of limit Nglish: Translation of limit for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of limit for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about limit
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