limiting factor

noun

1. Physiology. the slowest, therefore rate-limiting, step in a process or reaction involving several steps.
2. Biology. an environmental factor that tends to limit population size.

Example Sentences

"We are hoping the study gets picked up by policymakers who should consider copper as the limiting factor for the energy transition, and to think about how copper is allocated," Simon said.

From Science Daily

Consequently, the issue of electrical current matching is no longer a limiting factor.

From Science Daily

Light is the most common limiting factor when growing plants indoors.

From Seattle Times

"All aluminum is coated with a surface oxide, and until now we did not know what the structure of this native oxide layer on the nanoparticles was. This has been a limiting factor preventing the widespread application of aluminum nanoparticles."

From Science Daily

The economy will continue to be the main limiting factor for Chinese travelers.

From New York Times