delimit

verb

de·​lim·​it di-ˈli-mət 

dē-

delimited; delimiting; delimits

transitive verb

: to fix or define the limits of

guidelines delimiting his responsibilities

an area delimited by woods

delimitation

di-ˌli-mə-ˈtā-shən 

dē-

noun

Synonyms

• bound
• circumscribe
• define
• demarcate
• demark
• limit
• mark (off)
• terminate

Examples of delimit in a Sentence

Strict guidelines delimit his responsibilities.

the highway delimits the eastern edge of the downtown area

Recent Examples on the Web

In the absence of new rules that delimit the parameters of the relationship, and without a common conceptual framework of what the relationship is ultimately about, how can these two powers avoid, consciously or subconsciously, simply sliding into a new Cold War? —Kevin Rudd, Foreign Affairs, 22 Oct. 2018

Infatuation opens his characters to, and delimits the extent of their participation in, the world. —Brandon Sanchez, Vulture, 25 Oct. 2024

Some of those words must remain embedded in Prosecco Superiore, the legal term tied to DOCG to indicate both zones precisely delimited by notions of quality, grapes, culture, history, and soils. —Susan H. Gordon, Phd, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024

One point raised by Narasimhan is sound, however: a permanent maritime boundary must be delimited between Timor-Leste and Australia in the Timor Sea, in adherence to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. —Agio Pereira, Foreign Affairs, 26 Aug. 2014

After the initial burials, the cemetery, which was delimited by ditches and the road, became more densely populated toward the end of the first century B.C. and the start of the first century A.D., officials said. —Moira Ritter, Miami Herald, 24 Jan. 2024

One task will be delimiting the ocean, which some researchers think could exist in multiple layers, separated by high-pressure species of ice. —Bypaul Voosen, science.org, 5 Apr. 2023

His message is clear: people in developing countries should adopt free markets, strictly delimit the role of the state, promote liberal democratic institutions , ensure the provision of basic education and healthcare and welcome open discussion of issues. —Edward Webster, Quartz, 2 June 2021

Since the twenties roared, it’s become a habit to delimit history in distinctive ten-year stretches. —Frank Guan, The New Yorker, 31 Jan. 2022

Word History

Etymology

French délimiter, from Latin delimitare, from de- + limitare to limit, from limit-, limes boundary, limit

First Known Use

1852, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for delimit

• limit

Kids Definition

delimit

verb

de·​lim·​it di-ˈlim-ət 

: to fix or mark the limits of : bound

delimitation

-ˌlim-ə-ˈtā-shən 

noun