limit

noun lim·it \ ˈli-mət \

|Updated on: 12 Aug 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: limit in a Sentence

Definition of limit

1 a : something that bounds, restrains, or confines

the age limit for junior golf

b : the utmost extent

pushed her body to the limit

2 a : 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

6 a : 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.

—

limitless

play \ˈli-mət-ləs\ adjective

—

limitlessly

adverb

—

limitlessness

noun

See limit defined for English-language learners

See limit defined for kids

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

Indiana’s payout limit was $2 million per site until Mike Pence as governor increased it to $2.5 million in 2016.

— bradford betz, Fox News, "Cleanups at Pence family's failed gas stations costing taxpayers millions: report," 14 July 2018
That thought came to the forefront earlier this week when NBA commissioner Adam Silver admitted that the league is ready to change the NBA's draft age limit back to 18.

— roman stubbs, chicagotribune.com, "At Nike Peach Jam, high school stars ready to see end of NBA's one-and-done era," 13 July 2018
The state's payout limit was $2 million per site until Mike Pence signed a 2016 law as governor, increasing it to $2.5 million.

— brian slodysko, Houston Chronicle, "Pence family gas stations left costly environmental legacy," 13 July 2018
The state's payout limit was $2 million per site until Mike Pence signed a 2016 law as governor, increasing it to $2.5 million.

— brian slodysko, The Courier-Journal, "Cleanup of Pence family's failed gas stations cost Indiana taxpayers $20M," 13 July 2018
Keith sent copies to every state representative and senator who did not yet support sensible limits to gun ownership.

— courant.com, "Keith and Audrey Dubay," 12 July 2018
Bylaws should speak to how the corporation is governed – such as corporate powers and limits and board eligibility.

— kelly g. richardson, sandiegouniontribune.com, "HOA Homefront: Are these rules valid?," 14 July 2018
Efforts to rein those in through annual caps and other limits have come up short on Beacon Hill.

— jon chesto, BostonGlobe.com, "House leaders propose tax incentives for Broadway-bound shows," 13 July 2018
Is there a reason why there’s a size limit for portable chargers?

— claire wolters, Philly.com, "Linc requires clear bags at tonight's Taylor Swift concert," 13 July 2018

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

limit Synonyms

Synonyms

bound, boundary, cap, ceiling, confines, end, extent, limitation, line, termination;

Related Words

extremity, fag end, terminus;

border, brim, edge, margin, rim, verge;

outside;

bar, barrier, fence, hedge, restraint, stop, wall;

limit

verb

Definition of limit

limited; limiting; limits

transitive verb

1 : to assign certain limits to : prescribe

reserved the right to limit use of the land

2 a : 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

—

limitable

play \ˈli-mə-tə-bəl\ adjective

—

limiter

noun

See limit defined for English-language learners

Examples 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

Graves cited state law and department policy limiting what information can be released about inmates.

— andrew demillo, Fox News, "Police respond to attempted suicide by death row inmate," 13 July 2018
This can be done without limiting service or raising passenger fares.

— WSJ, "A Wage Hike for Drivers Wouldn’t Sink Ride Services," 13 July 2018
The Horned Frogs led the Big 12 in scoring defense last year, limiting opponents to 19 points a game and 5.07 yards a play.

— drew davison, star-telegram, "Here’s where the media picked TCU in preseason football poll," 12 July 2018
Marijuana businesses In both Colorado and Michigan, municipalities may prohibit or limit the number of marijuana establishments and enact ordinances that restrict hours and signage.

— kathleen gray, Detroit Free Press, "How Michigan's marijuana proposal differs from Colorado law," 12 July 2018
Boughton and Herbst, the former Trumbull first selectman, are participating in the state’s public campaign financing program, which provides grants of $1.35 million for the primary – but limits their spending to $1.6 million.

— matthew kauffman, courant.com, "Campaign Finance Reports Reveal A Battle Of Millionaires In Gubernatorial Race," 11 July 2018
Interim remedies, including an order limiting contact between the parties, are available.

— morgan watkins, The Courier-Journal, "Experts: University of Kentucky's sexual assault policy may be illegal," 11 July 2018
The big one strikes early Daytona is one of two tracks where cars are required to have restrictor plates, limiting their speeds for safety.

— michelle r. martinelli, For The Win, "Breaking down the 7 craziest moments from NASCAR's summer Daytona race," 10 July 2018
Required by the second law of thermodynamics, that unavoidable waste of energy severely limits the efficiency of a heat engine to below a level set by the temperatures of the baths.

— adrian cho, Science | AAAS, "Quantum measurements could power a tiny, hyper-efficient engine," 10 July 2018

Origin and Etymology of limit

see ¹limit

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

limit Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of limit

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

LIMIT Defined for English Language Learners

limit

noun

Definition of limit for English Language Learners

: a point beyond which it is not possible to go
: a point beyond which someone is not allowed to go
: an amount or number that is the highest or lowest allowed

limit

verb

Definition of limit for English Language Learners

: to stop or prevent an increase in (something) : to keep (something) from becoming greater
: to prevent (something) from being larger, longer, more, etc. : to place a limit on the size or extent of (something)
: to stop (someone) from having or doing more : to place a limit on (someone)