time limit
/taɪm ˈlɪmɪt/noun phrase★Intermediate— maximum allowed duration
general
the maximum amount of time allowed for a task or activity
Submissions must adhere to the time limit of 24 hours.
Submissions must be completed within 24 hours.
The game has a time limit of 3 minutes per level.
Each level in the game must be completed within 3 minutes.
💡
Common in exams, games, and competitive settings.
Collocations
strict time limita rigidly enforced time restrictiontime limit extensionadditional time granted beyond the original limit
Antonyms
Related Phrases
💡Pro Tip
Formal vs. Informal Use
In formal contexts, 'time limit' is preferred over 'deadline' when referring to a specific duration.
⚡Gold Rule
Precision
Always specify the exact time limit (e.g., '30 minutes') to avoid ambiguity.
📖Word Origin
Combination of 'time' (duration) and 'limit' (restriction), first recorded in the mid-19th century.
📝Usage Notes
Often used in formal or competitive contexts to indicate a strict deadline.
Word Breakdown
time
duration or period
rootlimit
restriction or boundary
rootEnglish Dictionary