1
a
: something that bounds, restrains, or confines
the age limit for junior golf
b
: the utmost extent
pushed her body to the limit
2
a
: a geographic or political boundary
b
limits plural
: the place enclosed within a boundary : bounds
into the limits of the North they came—
John Milton
John Milton3
: limitation
the sadness is without limit—William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare4
: a determining feature or differentia in logic
5
: a prescribed maximum or minimum amount, quantity, or number: such as
a
: the maximum quantity of game or fish that may be taken legally in a specified period
b
: a maximum established for a gambling bet, raise, or payoff
6
a
: a number whose numerical difference from a mathematical function is arbitrarily small for all values of the independent variables that are sufficiently close to but not equal to given prescribed numbers or that are sufficiently large positively or negatively
b
: a number that for an infinite sequence of numbers is such that ultimately each of the remaining terms of the sequence differs from this number by less than any given positive amount
7
: something that is exasperating or intolerable
We've had bad weather, but this is the limit.
limited; limiting; limits
2
a
: to restrict the bounds or limits of
the specialist can no longer limit himself to his specialty
b
: to curtail or reduce in quantity or extent
we must limit the power of aggressors
limiter
noun
Synonyms
Examples of limit in a Sentence
Noun
He has reached the limit of his endurance.
In training, she pushed her body to its physical limits.
He tries to be creative within the limits of conventional journalism.
There are limits to what I can put up with from him!
Verb
We need to find ways to limit expenses.
He tried to limit the damage to his reputation by blaming other people.
A factor limiting our country's economic performance is its lack of resources.
Our lack of money limits our options.
Because of our lack of money, we have to limit ourselves to fewer options.
Recent Examples on the Web
Grant Stringer, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024
In other words, adopting Amendment 2 won’t change any existing fishing regulations or the agency’s ability to set seasons, bag limits, or methods, and sportsmen will still have to purchase fishing and hunting licenses.
—Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 6 Nov. 2024
John Spencer, Foreign Affairs, 18 Nov. 2024
Another rumor was that FEMA was limiting financial assistance for disaster survivors to $750 and that recipients would eventually have to repay those funds or risk losing their homes.
—Jess Craig, Vox, 17 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for limit 
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Noun
The new standard lowers carbon intensity limits and accelerates those limits into the 2040s.
—Grant Stringer, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024
In other words, adopting Amendment 2 won’t change any existing fishing regulations or the agency’s ability to set seasons, bag limits, or methods, and sportsmen will still have to purchase fishing and hunting licenses.
—Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 6 Nov. 2024
Verb
What is more, events since the publication of Spencer’s article cast further doubt on the idea that Israel’s goals are limited to defeating Hamas and retrieving the hostages.
—John Spencer, Foreign Affairs, 18 Nov. 2024
Another rumor was that FEMA was limiting financial assistance for disaster survivors to $750 and that recipients would eventually have to repay those funds or risk losing their homes.
—Jess Craig, Vox, 17 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for limit
Dictionary Entries Near limit
Cite this Entry
“Limit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/limit. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
limit
2 of 2 verb
: to set limits to : keep within limits
limit expenses
management reserves the right to limit quantities
an adjective limits the meaning of a noun
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