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

"My take is the Right to Buy scheme was a good policy with a big limitation," he says.

From BBC ● Nov. 6, 2026

This limitation has prompted researchers to investigate whether directly examining the arteries might provide more useful information.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 6, 2026

“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

That limitation remained a challenge for nearly three decades.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 30, 2026

Okay, to be honest, I can abide by the limitation of obviousness, but the “feels” part was a done deal as far as the Wild Boy of Bainbridge Island was concerned.

From "Winger" by Andrew Smith

"Formerly a man of considerable physical prowess, the Claimant suffered considerable physical de-conditioning," with limitations to his mobility, and also suffered psychological symptoms, his claim said.

From BBC ● Nov. 7, 2026

These limitations have made widespread industrial adoption difficult.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 5, 2026

The statute of limitations for challenging a will can range from just a few months to years.

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

She started organizing information into carefully labeled folders: one about cells, another about cancer, another full of definitions of legal terms like statute of limitations and patient confidentiality.

From "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot

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