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 of limitation

• limit
• confines

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

None of it feels remotely tied to the zeitgeist, instead showing an artist galvanized by their own out-there proclivities and exhilarated by the limitations of whatever ramshackle gear might be lying around a home studio. — Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 15 Oct. 2026

Nick Lang, a program scientist in NASA’s planetary science division, confirmed this at last week’s VEXAG meeting, citing limitations in NASA’s budget. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026

Ukraine’s Armed Forces learned about the Starshield terminals’ speed limitations from SpaceX customer support after filing a complaint about operational issues, and SpaceX provided no prior warning, according to the source. — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026

Even when the metaphor is painfully on the nose, the film’s most disturbing images are more than their dramatic limitations and a whale is still an astonishing place to spend a movie. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 14 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for limitation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

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