top definitions
quizzes
related content
examples
explore dictionary
british
medical
scientific
idioms and phrases

limiting

[ lim-i-ting ]

/ ˈlɪm ɪ tɪŋ /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR limiting ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

serving to restrict or restrain; restrictive; confining.

Grammar. of the nature of a limiting adjective or a restrictive clause.

QUIZZES

Discover The Influence Of Portuguese On English Via This Quiz!

We’ve gathered some interesting words donated to English from Portuguese … as well as some that just don’t translate at all. Do you know what they mean?

Question 1 of 11

Which of the following animal names traces its immediate origin to Portuguese?

owl

crow

piranha

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Words nearby limiting

limited war, limited-payment life insurance, limited-slip differential, limiter, limites, limiting, limiting adjective, limiting factor, limiting layer of cornea, limitless, limitrophe

Origin of limiting

First recorded in 1570–80; limit + -ing²

OTHER WORDS FROM limiting

non·lim·it·ing, adjective

Definition for limiting (2 of 2)

limit

[ lim-it ]

/ ˈlɪm ɪt /

noun

the final, utmost, or furthest boundary or point as to extent, amount, continuance, procedure, etc.: the limit of his experience; the limit of vision.

a boundary or bound, as of a country, area, or district.

Mathematics.

a number such that the value of a given function remains arbitrarily close to this number when the independent variable is sufficiently close to a specified point or is sufficiently large. The limit of 1/x is zero as x approaches infinity; the limit of (x − 1)2 is zero as x approaches 1.
a number such that the absolute value of the difference between terms of a given sequence and the number approaches zero as the index of the terms increases to infinity.
one of two numbers affixed to the integration symbol for a definite integral, indicating the interval or region over which the integration is taking place and substituted in a primitive, if one exists, to evaluate the integral.

limits, the premises or region enclosed within boundaries: We found them on school limits after hours.

Games. the maximum sum by which a bet may be raised at any one time.

the limit, Informal. something or someone that exasperates, delights, etc., to an extreme degree: You have made errors before, but this is the limit.

verb (used with object)

to restrict by or as if by establishing limits (usually followed by to): Please limit answers to 25 words.

to confine or keep within limits: to limit expenditures.

Law. to fix or assign definitely or specifically.

Origin of limit

1325–75; Middle English lymyt < Latin līmit- (stem of līmes) boundary, path between fields

SYNONYMS FOR limit

2 confine, frontier, border.

8 restrain, bound.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR limit ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM limit

lim·it·a·ble, adjectivelim·it·a·ble·ness, nouno·ver·lim·it, verb (used with object)re·lim·it, verb (used with object)

un·der·lim·it, nounun·der·lim·it, verb (used with object)

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH limit

boundary limit parameter variable (see synonym study at boundary) (see usage note at parameter)limit limitation

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for limiting

Conservative advocates of limiting convictions to cases of “forcible rape” often rely on “traditional values.”
No Wonder Cosby's Keeping Quiet: He Could Still Be Prosecuted|Jay Michaelson|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Many have left the religion of their childhoods because of such narrow and limiting attitudes.
A Victory for ‘Religious Freedom’ is a Loss for Religion|Gene Robinson|June 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Silicon chips are typically two-dimensional, Boahen explained, limiting the number of dedicated currents they can utilize.
The Computer That Replicates a Human Brain|Dale Eisinger|May 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Who runs a democracy this way, limiting polling places and hours to ensure that nominees are crowned by a narrow band of fanatics?
The GOP Establishment Turns a ‘Firehose’ on Virginia Tea Partiers|Michelle Cottle|May 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST

It was a more complicated system matching contributions in exchange for limiting spending on a state-by-state basis.
Federal Campaign Funds: Easier Money|Stuart Stevens|April 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
By limiting myself somewhat as to itinerary I can do the thing.
High Adventure|James Norman Hall
Even in the early sixties we find not a few unions, national and local, limiting their hours by agreement with employers.
A History of Trade Unionism in the United States|Selig Perlman
These nobles accordingly framed a new constitution for the empire, limiting the authority of the queen to suit their purposes.
The Empire of Russia|John S. C. Abbott
The illegitimate attempt to raise wages by limiting the number of apprentices is the great abuse of trades-unions.
What Social Classes Owe to Each Other|William Graham Sumner
This has had the effect of limiting the operation of the law to its intended purpose.
Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents|Grover Cleveland

British Dictionary definitions for limiting

limit

/ (ˈlɪmɪt) /

noun

(sometimes plural) the ultimate extent, degree, or amount of somethingthe limit of endurance

(often plural) the boundary or edge of a specific areathe city limits

(often plural) the area of premises within specific boundaries

the largest quantity or amount allowed

maths

a value to which a function f(x) approaches as closely as desired as the independent variable approaches a specified value (x = a) or approaches infinity
a value to which a sequence a n approaches arbitrarily close as n approaches infinity
the limit of a sequence of partial sums of a convergent infinite seriesthe limit of 1 + ½ + ¼ + ⅛ + … is 2

maths one of the two specified values between which a definite integral is evaluated

the limit informal a person or thing that is intolerably exasperating

off limits

out of bounds
forbidden to do or usesmoking was off limits everywhere

within limits to a certain or limited extentI approve of it within limits

verb -its, -iting or -ited (tr)

to restrict or confine, as to area, extent, time, etc

law to agree, fix, or assign specifically

Derived forms of limit

limitable, adjectivelimitableness, nounlimitless, adjectivelimitlessly, adverb

limitlessness, noun

Word Origin for limit

C14: from Latin līmes boundary

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for limiting

limit

[ lĭm′ĭt ]

n.

The point, edge, or line beyond which something cannot or may not proceed.

A confining or restricting object, agent, or influence.

The greatest or least amount, number, or extent allowed or possible.

v.

To confine or restrict within a boundary or bounds.

To fix definitely; to specify.

Other words from limit

lim′it•a•ble adj.

Scientific definitions for limiting

limit

[ lĭm′ĭt ]

A number or point for which, from a given set of numbers or points, one can choose an arbitrarily close number or point. For example, for the set of all real numbers greater than zero and less than one, the numbers one and zero are limit points, since one can pick a number from the set arbitrarily close to one or zero (even though one and zero are not themselves in the set). Limits form the basis for calculus, where a number L is defined to be the limit approached by a function f(x) as x approaches a if, for every positive number ε, there exists a number δ such that |;f(x)-L|; < ε if 0 < |;x-a|; < δ.

Idioms and Phrases with limiting

limit

see go whole hog (the limit); sky's the limit; the limit.

limiting

adjective

QUIZZES

Words related to limiting

Words nearby limiting

Origin of limiting

OTHER WORDS FROM limiting

Definition for limiting (2 of 2)

noun

verb (used with object)

Origin of limit

SYNONYMS FOR limit

OTHER WORDS FROM limit

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH limit

Example sentences from the Web for limiting

British Dictionary definitions for limiting

noun

verb -its, -iting or -ited (tr)

Derived forms of limit

Word Origin for limit

Medical definitions for limiting

n.

v.

Other words from limit

Scientific definitions for limiting

Idioms and Phrases with limiting