speed limit
noun
: the maximum or minimum speed permitted by law in a given area under specified circumstances
Examples of speed limit in a Sentence
The speed limit here is 55 mph.
She got a ticket for breaking the speed limit.
Recent Examples on the Web
In Massachusetts, there's a proposal to put speed limits on fast ferries to Cape Cod and the Islands in order to protect whales.
—
CBS News, 5 Apr. 2024
Others were bland and dry by comparison. Of Sam’s Club:
On the superhighway of chicken, this one goes the speed limit.
—Kimberly Cataudella Tutuska, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2024
Not to mention that the steering is clunky and the speed limit a measly 6.5 mph.
—Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2024
Assemblyman Marc Berman, D-Menlo Park, recently authored a bill that would lower speed limits to 20 mph near schools.
—Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee, 1 Apr. 2024
State Assembly member Marc Berman said 8-year-old Jacob’s death inspired the Menlo Park Democrat to introduce legislation that would lower speed limits in school zones from 25 to 20 mph or less.
—Molly Gibbs, The Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2024
Assembly Bill 43, which passed in 2021, now allows Encinitas to lower speed limits on two types of roadways.
—Barbara Henry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2024
To prevent an increase in traffic fatalities, people should respect speed limits, minimize distractions, wear their seatbelts and avoid driving while impaired, Redelmeier said.
—Mira Cheng, CNN, 25 Mar. 2024
The speed limit along the roadway also was lowered from 45 mph to 35 mph, riders say.
—Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Mar. 2024
CBS News, 5 Apr. 2024
Others were bland and dry by comparison. Of Sam’s Club:
On the superhighway of chicken, this one goes the speed limit.
—Kimberly Cataudella Tutuska, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2024
Not to mention that the steering is clunky and the speed limit a measly 6.5 mph.
—Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2024
Assemblyman Marc Berman, D-Menlo Park, recently authored a bill that would lower speed limits to 20 mph near schools.
—Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee, 1 Apr. 2024
State Assembly member Marc Berman said 8-year-old Jacob’s death inspired the Menlo Park Democrat to introduce legislation that would lower speed limits in school zones from 25 to 20 mph or less.
—Molly Gibbs, The Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2024
Assembly Bill 43, which passed in 2021, now allows Encinitas to lower speed limits on two types of roadways.
—Barbara Henry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2024
To prevent an increase in traffic fatalities, people should respect speed limits, minimize distractions, wear their seatbelts and avoid driving while impaired, Redelmeier said.
—Mira Cheng, CNN, 25 Mar. 2024
The speed limit along the roadway also was lowered from 45 mph to 35 mph, riders say.
—Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'speed limit.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1902, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near speed limit
Cite this Entry
“Speed limit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/speed%20limit. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
speed limit
noun
: the highest or lowest speed allowed by law in a certain area
More from Merriam-Webster on speed limit
Nglish: Translation of speed limit for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about speed limit
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