Meaning of limit In English

• 0 the greatest amount, number, or level of something that is either possible or allowed:

  • Is there a limit on the amount of money you can claim?

  • I think we ought to put a strict limit on the amount of time we can spend on the project.

  • There's a limit to the number of times I can stop what I'm doing just so I can help him!

  • We set a time limit of 30 minutes for the test.

  • Three cocktails are my limit.

  • I won't have any more - I know my limit!

  • And now you're cutting your toenails in bed! That really is the limit!

  • She was definitely driving over the limit.

  • I'd like to play squash, but I'm 60 and I know my limits.

  • His genius knows no limits.

  • The pay rise was in excess of spending limits imposed/set by the government.

• 1 to control something so that it is not greater than a particular amount, number, or level:

  • I've been asked to limit my speech to ten minutes maximum.

  • Having so little money to spend on an apartment does limit you in your choice.

• 2 the greatest amount, number, or level allowed or possible:

  • There’s a limit to her patience.

  • Two cups of coffee are my limit.

  • Spending limits were imposed by the mayor.

• 3 to control something so that it is not greater than a particular amount, number, or level:

  • I have to limit my talk to 20 minutes.

• 4 the greatest amount, number, or level that is possible or allowed:

  • beyond/over/outside the limit Am I over the limit on the amount of money I can claim?

  • below/within/under the limit Wages accounted for 57% of turnover - just under the 60% limit recommended by industry experts.

  • a limit to sth There's a limit to the number of times I can stop what I'm doing just so I can help him!

  • a limit on sth I think we ought to put a strict limit on the amount of time we can spend on the project.

  • impose/place/set a limit We set a time limit of thirty minutes for the test.

  • exceed/reach/reduce a limit

  • stretch/push the limit

• 5 to control something so that it is not more than a particular amount, number, or level:

  • limit damage/liability This change can help to limit environmental damage.

  • limit the effectiveness/usefulness of sth Farmers cover coca leaves with substances that limit the effectiveness of the herbicide spray.

  • limit sth's scope Regulations limit their scope to activities of a commercial nature carried out in other countries.

  • limit sth to sth I've been asked to limit my speech to ten minutes maximum.

• 6 to control the amount of something or the type of thing that a person or organization can have:

  • limit sb to sth Having so little money to spend on a car does limit you to an older used model.

  • The city's economy limits the poor to menial service jobs.

  • limit yourself to sth Older investors do not have to limit themselves to corporate bonds.

• 7 to be only available to a particular person or group or to only affect a particular person or group:

  • Coupons for a 15% discount will be limited to the first 1000 people to visit the site.

  • An outbreak of flu was limited to people who travelled in the winter months.