limitation

American  

[lim-i-tay-shuhn] / ˌlɪm ɪˈteɪ ʃən /

noun

• limitations
  plural

1. a limiting condition; restrictive weakness; lack of capacity; inability or handicap.

   He knows his limitations as a writer.

2. something that limits; a limit or bound; restriction.

   an arms limitation; a limitation on imports.

3. the act of limiting.

4. the state of being limited.

5. Law. the assignment, as by statute, of a period of time within which an action must be brought, or the period of time assigned.

   a statute of limitations.

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limitation British  

/ ˌlɪmɪˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. something that limits a quality or achievement

2. the act of limiting or the condition of being limited

3. law a certain period of time, legally defined, within which an action, claim, etc, must be commenced

4. property law a restriction upon the duration or extent of an estate

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonlimitation
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• limitations
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of limitation

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English lymytacion, from Latin līmitātiōn-, stem of līmitātiō “determination, enclosure within boundaries,” from līmitāt(us) “bounded, enclosed” (past participle of līmitāre “to bound, enclose within boundaries”; see limit) + -iō -ion

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Explanation

A limitation is something that holds you back, like a broken leg that keeps you off the dance floor during prom season. A limitation could also be a rule that restricts what you can do, like needing to be a certain height to ride a roller coaster at an amusement park. It can also be a circumstance that hampers you, like a dead car that keeps you from traveling very far from home. The noun limitation comes up a lot in the law, especially in the phrase "statute of limitations," which dictates how long after a crime someone can be prosecuted for committing it.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

limitation limitations

“A predictable limitation would enable utilities to maintain investment grade credit ratings to better access capital at lower borrowing costs for customers,” Lynsey Paulo, a PG&E spokesperson, said in an e-mail.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 3, 2026

Challenged over whether her apology could be seen as an effort at damage limitation, or too late, she said that she hadn't expected so much exposure from the incident.

From BBC ● Oct. 29, 2026

It was damage limitation for England, while the hosts could show off.

From BBC ● Oct. 24, 2026

That limitation is particularly significant because proteins below this threshold account for about 90% of the human proteome, the complete collection of proteins produced by the human body.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 22, 2026

No longer able to reach behind him when he used the commode, he informed Connie of his latest limitation.

From "Tuesdays with Morrie" by Mitch Albom

Scientists have developed a new gel that could make it possible to regrow damaged tooth enamel, potentially overcoming one of the biggest limitations in dental care.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 5, 2026

Each state also sets its own statute of limitations for these cases.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 5, 2026

Simon Tay, chairman of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, a think-tank, told AFP the law would strengthen Singapore's hand but limitations would remain.

From Barron's ● Nov. 4, 2026

Ostensibly, the prosecutors acted to prevent the statute of limitations from expiring.

From Slate ● Nov. 3, 2026

We shall see that although the uncertainty principle places limitations on the accuracy of all our predictions, it may at the same time remove the fundamental unpredictability that occurs at a space-time singularity.

From "A Brief History of Time: And Other Essays" by Stephen Hawking

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