Word family noun limit limitation delimitation adjective limited ≠ unlimited limiting limitless verb limit delimit
From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishlimitationlim‧i‧ta‧tion /ˌlɪmɪˈteɪʃən/ ●●○ W3 noun 1 [uncountable]LIMIT the act or process of controlling or reducing somethinglimitation to Any limitation to the king’s power could be permanent. a nuclear limitation treaty → damage limitation at damage1(3)2 [countable usually plural]DISADVANTAGE qualities that stop someone or something from being as good or as effective as you wish they could be SYN weaknesslimitation of Despite the limitations of the survey, it did suggest some general trends. It’s a good little car, but it has its limitations.3 [countable, uncountable] a rule or condition that stops something from increasing beyond a particular pointlimitation on/upon a limitation on the number of hours children can workput/place/impose limitations The new law imposes limitations on campaign contributions.COLLOCATIONS – Meaning 2: qualities that stop someone or something from being as good or as effective as you wish they could beverbshave limitationsThe system does have its limitations.place limitations on somethingSpending limitations have been placed on the council's housing budget.impose limitations on something (=an emphatic way of saying to place limitations on something)The government has imposed severe limitations on the types of food that can be imported. overcome limitations (also transcend limitations formal) (=do more than you would normally be able or allowed to do)Can men and women ever transcend the limitations of their roles?know/recognize limitations (=know what your qualities or abilities will allow you to do)Know your limitations, and don't exercise too hard or you'll get injured.accept the limitations of somethingTake pride in your achievements, but accept your limitations.expose/reveal/show something's/somebody's limitations (=show where something or someone is not very good)The film shows his limitations as a actor.adjectivessevere/serious/important limitationsThis approach to the problem has serious limitations.inherent limitations formal (=limitations that are a natural part of something)We recognize the inherent limitations of our research.technical limitationsThis odd effect on the film results from technical limitations in the video equipment.physical limitationsHe has physical limitations which prevent him from lifting heavy objects.practical limitationsPractical limitations, such as a shortage of equipment, may prevent them from achieving their goal.legal limitations (=limitations because of law)Certain legal limitations are placed on the scope of Parliament's power. Examples from the Corpus
limitation• There are ways of turning the restrictions and limitations that caring involves into assets.• Alec Stewart's 102-ball 55 never smacked of more than damage limitation.• Promotion of the role of the Commissioner, emphasising both her capabilities and her limitations should help to alleviate this problem.• Nevertheless, the limitations of writing a script to accompany images on the screen become clear on the printed page.• One of the limitations of books of purely social commentary is that they are long on analysis and short on action.• The limitations of what is available for you locally can also be part of this pain.has ... limitations• However, college baseball has its limitations, too.• In this respect, the law on compulsory school attendance clearly has its limitations.• In addition, the Committee has discussed placing limitations on donations to independent campaigns.• Since situations vary from country to country, the practice of emulation has its own limitations and difficulties.• Whereas practitioners of the occult would explain everything by magic, modern science has recognized the limitations of its knowledge.• A bait dropper, as opposed to a swimfeeder, has limitations.• This vision has severe limitations, especially in its resistance to formal innovation and cultural weirdness.• Certainly workwear has its limitations, but there remains a lot of potential to promote its many strengths to an expanding audience.limitation on/upon• Another limitation on pole field strength arises from the heating effect of the winding currents.• The basic limitation on the obligation to obey the state arose from the fundamental purpose of the state.• Emission limits or prohibitions on hazardous air pollutants and effluent limitations on toxic wastewater discharges have been adopted.• In addition, the Committee has discussed placing limitations on donations to independent campaigns.• There must also be a causal connection between disability and a substantial limitation on a major life activity.• The clause is placed among the powers of Congress, not among the limitations on those powers. 2d.• Dulles implicitly recognized the limitations on brinksmanship.• He continued to regret the limitation on his career development imposed by what he saw as his confinement to Art teaching.From Longman Business Dictionarylimitationlim‧i‧ta‧tion /ˌlɪmɪˈteɪʃən/ noun [countable, uncountable] when only a certain amount, number etc of something is allowedThe new law imposes limitations on campaign contributions. 