limitation

American  

[lim-i-tey-shuhn] / ˌlɪm ɪˈteɪ ʃən /

noun

1. a limiting 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. limiting.

4. the state of being limited. 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

• nonlimitation noun

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”; limit ) + -iō -ion

Example Sentences

She won a thumping victory in a national election Sunday, a victory that analysts say shows the limitations of Beijing’s coercive measures in affecting domestic politics.

From The Wall Street Journal

Estonia is small, and land-use limitations sometimes constrained how troops could move.

From The Wall Street Journal

Because of this limitation, researchers could not tell whether the compounds were produced by biological activity or by non living chemical processes.

From Science Daily

However, a Roth IRA will not be available to many due to income limitations, nor attractive due to the pro-rata rule.

From MarketWatch

If you’re only considering free options, carefully evaluate whether the limitations and potential privacy risks are acceptable.

From Salon