Meaning & use
limitation
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Meanings
nouncountable
A rule, condition or fact that restricts how much or how far something can go.
Grammar: Often followed by on: a limitation on spending.
Patterns
- a limitation on something
- a limitation of something
The contract places a limitation on how many hours you can work.
One limitation of the device is its short battery life.
There is no limitation on the number of guests.
nounusually plural
A weakness or shortcoming in someone's ability, or in the usefulness of something.
Grammar: Often plural when about a person: know your limitations.
Patterns
- recognize your limitations
He was honest about his limitations as a speaker.
Every study has limitations, and the authors listed them.
She learned to work within her physical limitations.
noununcountableformallegal
The act of setting a limit, or the state of being restricted.
Grammar: Used mainly in law and policy: limitation of liability.
Patterns
- limitation of something
The treaty is aimed at the limitation of nuclear weapons.
The company argued for the limitation of its liability.
Statute of limitation rules set a time limit for bringing a claim.
Word forms
| plural | limitations |
|---|
Common combinations
- physical limitations
- Despite his physical limitations, he finished the course.
- place a limitation on
- The law places a limitation on night work.
- know your limitations
- A good athlete knows her limitations.
- statute of limitations
- The statute of limitations had expired.
- serious limitation
- Slow speed is a serious limitation of this printer.
- without limitation
- You may use the software without limitation.
Synonyms and how they differ
- restriction
- Suggests a rule imposed by someone, while limitation can also be a natural weakness.
- constraint
- Stresses a force that holds something back, often in planning or design.
- shortcoming
- Always about a fault or weakness, and not about a rule or boundary.
- cap
- An informal word for a fixed upper limit on a number or amount.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: limitation or limit?
limitation vs limit
A limit is the boundary or highest amount itself; a limitation is the restriction or weakness that arises from it.
Practice
A review of the research should always mention its ____, such as a small sample size.
Choose one answer.
Limitations is the plural noun for weaknesses in a study. The singular noun after always... would need an article, limits means boundaries, and limited is an adjective.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “limitation”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.