limit
Other forms: limited; limits; limiting
A limit is a boundary, or how far something can go, or the maximum amount of something. When you reach the limit, imagine a little sign saying "the end."
There's a limit to how much weight you can lift, how many words can be written in an hour, or how long someone can stay awake. Once you pass the city limits, you have left town. Sporting events have time limits. As a verb, you can limit how much chocolate your kids are allowed to eat. And if you don't feel like writing much, you'll limit your essay to just 400 words instead of 500.
Definitions of limit
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as far as something can go
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types:
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maximum
the point on a curve where the tangent changes from positive on the left to negative on the right
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minimum
the point on a curve where the tangent changes from negative on the left to positive on the right
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range, reach
the limits within which something can be effective
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earreach, earshot, hearing
the range within which a voice can be heard
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eyeshot, view
the range of the eye
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rifle range, rifle shot
the distance that a rifle bullet will carry
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type of:
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extremity
the outermost or farthest region or point
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final or latest limiting point
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synonyms:
terminal point, terminus ad quem
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the greatest amount of something that is possible or allowed“there are limits on the amount you can bet”
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synonyms:
limitation
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types:
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extremum, peak
the most extreme possible amount or value
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cutoff
a designated limit beyond which something cannot function or must be terminated
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lower limit, minimum
the smallest possible quantity
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maximum, upper limit
the largest possible quantity
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type of:
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indefinite quantity
an estimated quantity
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the mathematical value toward which a function goes as the independent variable approaches infinity
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synonyms:
limit point, point of accumulation
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type of:
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indefinite quantity
an estimated quantity
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indefinite quantity
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the greatest possible degree of something“to the limit of his ability”
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knife-edge
a narrow boundary
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absoluteness, starkness, utterness
the quality of being complete or utter or extreme
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heat barrier, thermal barrier
a limit to high speed flight imposed by aerodynamic heating
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level best, maximum, utmost, uttermost
the greatest possible degree
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brink, cusp, verge
the limit beyond which something happens or changes
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precipice
the brink of a dangerous or potentially disastrous situation
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type of:
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extent
the distance or area or volume over which something extends
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the boundary of a specific area
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synonyms:
demarcation, demarcation line
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edge
the outside limit of an object or area or surface; a place farthest away from the center of something
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city limit, city limits
the limits of the area occupied by a city or town
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upper limit
the limit on the upper (or northernmost) side of something
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lower limit
the limit on the lower (or southernmost) side of something
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three-mile limit
the limit of a nation's territorial waters
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border
a strip forming the outer edge of something
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hem
the edge of a piece of cloth; especially the finished edge that has been doubled under and stitched down
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luff
(nautical) the forward edge of a fore-and-aft sail that is next to the mast
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border, molding, moulding
a decorative recessed or relieved surface on an edge
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selvage, selvedge
the edge of a fabric that is woven so that it will not ravel or fray
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berm, shoulder
a narrow edge of land (usually unpaved) along the side of a road
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roadside, wayside
edge of a way or road or path
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restrict or confine
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synonyms:
circumscribe, confine
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types:
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hold down
restrain
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keep down, number
place a limit on the number of
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cap
restrict the number or amount of
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curb, curtail, cut back, restrict
place restrictions on
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delimit, delimitate, demarcate
set, mark, or draw the boundaries of something
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content
satisfy in a limited way
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ration
restrict the consumption of a relatively scarce commodity, as during war
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abridge
lessen, diminish, or curtail
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immobilise, immobilize
cause to be unable to move
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decide upon or fix definitely
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quantify
use as a quantifier
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name
mention and identify by name
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reset
set anew
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define
give a definition for the meaning of a word
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redefine
give a new or different definition of (a word)
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place limits on (extent or access)“limit the time you can spend with your friends”
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reduce, tighten
narrow or limit
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tie
limit or restrict to
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gate
restrict (school boys') movement to the dormitory or campus as a means of punishment
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draw a line, draw the line
reasonably object (to) or set a limit (on)
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mark off, mark out
set boundaries to and delimit
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harness, rein, rule
keep in check
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baffle, regulate
check the emission of (sound)
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cramp, halter, hamper, strangle
prevent the progress or free movement of
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constrain, stiffen, tighten, tighten up
restrict
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clamp down, crack down
repress or suppress (something regarded as undesirable)
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constrict, inhibit
limit the range or extent of
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constrain, cumber, encumber, restrain
hold back
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bridle
put a bridle on
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curb
keep to the curb
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clog
impede the motion of, as with a chain or a burden
Pronunciation
US
/ˈlɪmɪt/
UK
/ˈlɪmɪt/
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘limit'.
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