Definition

1. Noun:
   • The official boundary or outer edge of a city's incorporated area: This term refers to the legal or administrative line that separates the territory of a city or town from the surrounding, unincorporated areas. It marks the jurisdiction where city laws and services apply.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The new shopping mall is just outside the city limits, so it has different tax rates.
  • Police from this department only have authority within the city limits.
  • The mayor proposed expanding the city limits to include the growing suburbs.

Advanced Usage

• "within the city limits": inside the official boundary of the city.
  • All buildings within the city limits must adhere to the municipal building code.
• "beyond the city limits": outside the official boundary of the city.
  • They moved to a farmhouse just beyond the city limits for more space.

Variants and Related Words

• City limit (n): Often used in the singular form, especially when referring to a specific boundary point or sign.
  • We saw a "Welcome" sign at the city limit.
• City boundary (n): A synonym for the legal dividing line.
• Incorporated area (n): The territory officially part of the city.

Synonyms

• Municipal boundary: The dividing line of a municipality.
• Town limits: The boundary of a town (used interchangeably, though "town" often implies a smaller incorporated area than a "city").

Related Phrases

• "Inside the city limits": A common prepositional phrase describing location.
  • Is your new house inside the city limits?
• "On the city limits": At the very edge of the boundary.
  • The industrial park is located right on the city limits.

Notes on Meaning

The term "city limits" is almost always used in the plural form. It is a specific geographical and legal concept, distinct from a metropolitan area, which can include many suburbs and communities beyond the official city limits. The rules, taxes, and services (like police, water, and trash collection) often change at this boundary.

Noun

1. the limits of the area occupied by a city or town