limiting factor

American  

noun

1. Physiology.  the slowest, therefore rate-limiting, step in a process or reaction involving several steps.

2. Biology.  an environmental factor that tends to limit population size.

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Example Sentences

Earlier this month, Tesla Inc Chief Executive Elon Musk said lithium is “a limiting factor” in the growth of EVs as he encouraged companies to enter the lithium sector to take advantage of higher prices.

From Reuters

Larsen, who is on the Great Plant Picks selection committee for area trees and shrubs, says, “We are looking in the southern hemisphere, like Australia and the Mediterranean, but the cold is the limiting factor.”

From Seattle Times

"The aspiration to purchase a home remains, but the financial capacity has become a major limiting factor," said Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist.

From Reuters

Norris backs up Verstappen's view that tyre overheating remains a limiting factor.

From BBC

“Our own factories have been running below capacity for several quarters as supply chain became the main limiting factor, which is likely to continue through the rest of 2022,” Tesla said in a statement.

From New York Times