speed-limit

A car drives under a speed-limit sign on a city street.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Legal maximum speed: "speed-limit" refers to the highest speed at which a vehicle is legally permitted to travel on a particular road or in a specific area. It is typically set by law and indicated by road signs.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The speed-limit on this highway is 70 miles per hour. (The legal maximum speed allowed for vehicles on this road.)
  • Drivers must obey the speed-limit to avoid fines and ensure safety. (The prescribed maximum speed that must not be exceeded.)

Advanced Usage

• "to break the speed-limit": to drive faster than the legal maximum speed.

  • He was fined for breaking the speed-limit on the motorway. (He was penalized for exceeding the allowed speed.)

• "to set a speed-limit": to establish a legal maximum speed for a road or area.

  • The city council set a new speed-limit of 30 km/h near schools. (They established a lower maximum speed for safety.)

• "speed-limit sign": a road sign that displays the maximum legal speed.

  • Look for the speed-limit sign before entering the construction zone. (The sign indicating the legal speed limit.)

Variants and Related Words

• Speed (n): the rate at which something moves or operates.

  • The car's speed was too high for the icy road. (The rate of movement.)

• Limit (n): a point or boundary beyond which something cannot or may not proceed.

  • There is a limit to how fast you can drive safely. (A maximum or restriction.)

• Limitless (adj): without a limit; infinite.

  • The sky seems limitless from this viewpoint. (Having no boundaries.)

Synonyms

• Maximum speed: the highest speed allowed.

  • The maximum speed on this road is 50 mph. (Synonymous with speed-limit.)

• Legal limit: the speed set by law.

  • The legal limit on residential streets is 25 mph. (Synonymous with speed-limit.)

Related Idioms

• "To push the limit": to test or exceed boundaries, often referring to speed or performance.

  • He likes to push the limit when driving on empty roads. (He tries to drive faster than the speed-limit.)

• "At breakneck speed": extremely fast, often dangerously so.

  • The driver raced at breakneck speed, ignoring the speed-limit. (At a very high, risky speed.)