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

For more, see my interview with Yann LeCun, where the former head of research at Meta goes over LLM limitations and suggests we might be headed for this type of research in the future. —John Werner, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026

This limitation becomes critical when generative AI’s inability to recognize its own uncertainty can have serious consequences, particularly in high-stakes applications such as medical diagnosis, financial advice and autonomous vehicle decision-making. —Ricky J. Sethi, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026

Because of the limitations that remained on outside communication and the internet, most of us in Mashhad were still getting our information from state media, opposition satellite channels, and word of mouth. —Davood Moradian, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026

Making a monetization limitations promise up front is a bold move as a small indie studio, but that is one way in which Wildlight plans to differentiate itself from other video game developers. —Jennifer Maas, Variety, 26 Jan. 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