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limitation

n.
US //ˌɫɪmɪˈteɪʃən// UK //lˌɪmɪtˈeɪʃən// lim·i·ta·tion
  1. 1 a restriction or boundary (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a rule or situation that limits what you can do or how far you can go.

    a limiting rule or circumstance that restricts scope or freedom of action.

    Example

    The new law puts a strict limitation on how much noise factories can make.

    Example

    The budget imposes a severe limitation on the scope of the research project, forcing the team to focus only on local data.
  2. 2 a shortcoming or weakness (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a weakness or a lack of ability that stops someone or something from being better.

    a failing or lack of capacity which prevents a person or thing from achieving a higher standard.

    Example

    He is a great writer, but he knows his limitations when it comes to poetry.

    Example

    The software is powerful, yet users must be aware of its technical limitations when processing extremely large datasets.
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  1. 3 legal time limit (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Formal Law

    a fixed period of time during which you are allowed to start a legal case.

    a legally prescribed period after which a right cannot be enforced or a crime cannot be prosecuted.

    Example

    The case was dropped because the legal limitation for the crime had passed.

    Example

    The defence argued that the statute of limitations had expired, rendering the plaintiff's claim for damages legally void.

    Usage

    often used in the phrase 'statute of limitations'
Origin

Borrowed from Latin limitatio. Morphologically limit + -ation.

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