limit

noun

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lim·it | \ ˈli-mət

Definition of limit

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : something that bounds, restrains, or confines the age limit for junior golf

b : the utmost extent pushed her body to the limit

2a : a geographic or political boundary

b 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 as

a : the maximum quantity of game or fish that may be taken legally in a specified period

b : 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 negatively

b : 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.

limit

verb

limited; limiting; limits

Definition of limit (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to assign certain limits to : prescribe reserved the right to limit use of the land

2a : to restrict the bounds or limits of the specialist can no longer limit himself to his specialty

b : to curtail or reduce in quantity or extent we must limit the power of aggressors

Other Words from limit Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about limit

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Other Words from limit

Noun

limitless \ ˈli-mət-ləs

\ adjective

limitlessly adverb

limitlessness noun

Verb

limitable \ ˈli-mə-tə-bəl

\ adjective

limiter noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for limit

Synonyms: Noun

Synonyms: Verb

Antonyms: Verb

exceed

Choose the Right Synonym for limit

Verb

limit, restrict, circumscribe, confine mean to set bounds for. limit implies setting a point or line (as in time, space, speed, or degree) beyond which something cannot or is not permitted to go. visits are limited to 30 minutes restrict suggests a narrowing or tightening or restraining within or as if within an encircling boundary. laws intended to restrict the freedom of the press circumscribe stresses a restriction on all sides and by clearly defined boundaries. the work of the investigating committee was carefully circumscribed confine suggests severe restraint and a resulting cramping, fettering, or hampering. our choices were confined by finances

Examples of limit in a Sentence

Noun 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! Verb 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 on the Web: Noun Among lessons learned about NBA life outside the bubble this season: Five games in seven days appears to be just about the Mavs’ limit. — Kevin Sherrington, Dallas News, "After five games in seven days and without Kristaps Porzingis, the Mavs were clearly out of juice vs. Rockets," 23 Jan. 2021 The 2020 red snapper season in federal waters was a little more than two months long, had a minimum size restriction of 16 inches, and a two-fish, daily-bag limit. — Matt Wyatt, ExpressNews.com, "Act to help red snapper in Gulf of Mexico," 21 Jan. 2021 The pardon applies to a case in which Liberty contributed $22,500 — far above the $2,500 limit — to Republican Mitt Romney’s presidential primary campaign in 2012. — oregonlive, "Who did Trump pardon? Rappers, dad in college bribery scheme, kingpin involved in officer’s murder," 20 Jan. 2021 Waste firms warned in their applications that this will happen more without additional capacity — the Burnsville landfill is expected to hit its current limit by 2022. — Eric Roper, Star Tribune, "Twin Cities faces 'pinch point' over landfilling," 25 Jan. 2021 How will the improvements affect your coverage limit? — Dallas News, "Thinking of remodeling? Consider effect on insurance," 17 Jan. 2021 That would make the fund the same size as its predecessor, Roark Capital Partners V LP, which closed on its upper limit of $5 billion in 2018. — Preeti Singh, WSJ, "Roark Capital Seeks $5 Billion for New Flagship Fund," 15 Jan. 2021 Just show up the next day with decoys, find a place to hide, and shoot your limit. — Will Brantley, Field & Stream, "The 10 Rules of Duck Scouting," 28 Dec. 2020 But the most challenging part of her work in 2020, was not jumping on national television news shows at the drop of a hat, but in directing a department stretched to its limit by this virus. — Dennis Pillion | Dpillion@al.com, al, "Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo made Alabama smarter in 2020," 25 Dec. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb The governor's office on Saturday issued new guidelines that limit attendance at indoor services in areas of the state with widespread or substantial virus spread to 25% of a building's capacity. — CBS News, "After Supreme Court victory, some California churches hold indoor services," 8 Feb. 2021 Former President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew the U.S. in 2018 from the atomic deal, which saw Iran agree to limit its enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. — Fox News, "Iran demands US lift sanctions before it lives up to nuclear deal," 7 Feb. 2021 The governor's office on Saturday issued new guidelines that limit attendance at indoor services in areas of the state with widespread or substantial virus spread to 25% of a building’s capacity. — Christopher Weber, Chron, "Some California churches hold indoor services after ruling," 7 Feb. 2021 Former President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew the U.S. in 2018 from the atomic deal, which saw Iran agree to limit its enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. — NBC News, "U.S. must lift sanctions before Iran lives up to nuclear deal, supreme leader Khamenei says," 7 Feb. 2021 Activists want a number of changes to the city charter, including to rework the utility’s governance structure, slash the pay of its CEOs, limit their tenure in office and place stricter term limits on SAWS board members. — Joshua Fechter, ExpressNews.com, "San Antonio Water System withdraws legal challenge to reform drive, citing a lack of petition signatures," 25 Jan. 2021 Still, experts say, breaking up the firms will do nothing unless fundamental safeguards are put in place to limit their business models in a way similar to how strict regulations exist for food safety and aviation, for example. — Billy Perrigo, Time, "Big Tech's Business Model Is a Threat to Democracy. Here's How to Build a Fairer Digital Future," 22 Jan. 2021 The Obama administration also attempted to focus on recent border crossers and people convicted of a broader array of crimes, but the immigration agencies took years to adjust, with attempts to limit enforcement in 2011 and again in 2014. — Maria Sacchetti, BostonGlobe.com, "Biden administration to pause deportations, curtail arrests," 21 Jan. 2021 Trump in 2018 unilaterally withdrew the U.S. from Iran's nuclear deal, in which Tehran had agreed to limit its uranium enrichment in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. — Nasser Karimi, Star Tribune, "Iran kicks off ground forces drill on coast of Gulf of Oman," 19 Jan. 2021

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.