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Definition of limitation noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

limitation

noun
 OPAL W
 
/ˌlɪmɪˈteɪʃn/
 
/ˌlɪmɪˈteɪʃn/
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  1.  
    [uncountable] the act or process of limiting or controlling somebody/something synonym restriction
    • They would resist any limitation of their powers.
    • talks on arms limitation
    Synonyms limitlimitrestriction ▪ control ▪ constraint ▪ restraint ▪ limitationThese are all words for something that limits what you can do or what can happen.limit the greatest or smallest amount of something that is allowed:
    • The EU has set strict limits on pollution levels.
    • the speed limit
    restriction (rather formal) a rule or law that limits what you can do:
    • There are no restrictions on the amount of money you can withdraw.
    control (often in compounds) the act of limiting or managing something; a method of doing this:
    • arms control
    constraint (rather formal) a fact or decision that limits what you can do:
    • We have to work within severe constraints of time and money.
    restraint (rather formal) a decision, a rule, an idea, etc. that limits what you can do; the act of limiting something because it is necessary or sensible to do so:
    • The government has imposed export restraints on some products.
    • The unions are unlikely to accept any sort of wage restraint.
    limitation the act or process of limiting something; a rule, fact or condition that limits something:
    • They would resist any limitation of their powers.
     restriction, constraint, restraint or limitation?These are all things that limit what you can do. A restriction is rule or law that is made by somebody in authority. A constraint is something that exists rather than something that is made, although it may exist as a result of somebody’s decision. A restraint is also something that exists: it can exist outside yourself, as the result of somebody else’s decision; but it can also exist inside you, as a fear of what other people may think or as your own feeling about what is acceptable: moral/​social/​cultural restraints. A limitation is more general and can be a rule that somebody makes or a fact or condition that exists.Patterns
    • limits/​restrictions/​controls/​constraints/​restraints/​limitations on something
    • limits/​limitations to something
    • severe limits/​restrictions/​controls/​constraints/​restraints/​limitations
    • tight limits/​restrictions/​controls/​constraints
    • to impose/​remove limits/​restrictions/​controls/​constraints/​restraints/​limitations
    • to lift restrictions/​controls/​constraints/​restraints
    see also damage limitation
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • fundamental
    • important
    • major
    • …
    verb + limitation
    • impose
    • place
    • put on
    • …
    preposition
    • limitation on
    • limitation to
    See full entry
  2.  
    [countable] limitation (on something) a rule, fact or condition that limits something synonym curb, restraint
    • to impose limitations on imports
    • Don't accept any limitations on how creative you can be.
    see also statute of limitations
    Extra Examples
    • Because of space limitations, I can only discuss the first and second points here.
    • There should be no limitations to progress in the talks.
    • This is a deliberate self-imposed limitation.
    • We face considerable limitations on our capacity to assess and analyse this.
    • We've put some limitations on who can purchase these.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • fundamental
    • important
    • major
    • …
    verb + limitation
    • impose
    • place
    • put on
    • …
    preposition
    • limitation on
    • limitation to
    See full entry
  3.  
    [countable, usually plural] a limit on what somebody/something can do or how good they or it can be
    • This technique is useful but it has its limitations.
    • She has serious limitations as a poet.
    • He was well aware of his own limitations.
    Extra Examples
    • Please don't ask me to sing—I know my limitations!
    • The team's technical limitations were exposed by the Italians.
    • You just have to accept your limitations.
    • Despite its limitations, the study has highlighted some interesting issues.
    • The limitations of this teaching approach are not always immediately obvious.
    • Our findings illustrate the limitations of this treatment.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • fundamental
    • important
    • major
    • …
    verb + limitations
    • have
    • circumvent
    • exceed
    • …
    preposition
    • despite somebody’s/​something’s limitation
    See full entry
    4. Word Originlate Middle English: from Latin limitatio(n-), from the verb limitare, from limes.
See limitation in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee limitation in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
Check pronunciation: limitation

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