A "limit" is a concept used in mathematics to describe the value that a function approaches as the input gets closer to a certain point. For example, if you have a function that describes the height of a ball thrown in the air, the limit can help you understand how high the ball gets as time passes. Limits are essential for understanding changes and behaviors in various mathematical situations. In everyday life, limits can also refer to boundaries or restrictions. For instance, there are speed limits on roads that dictate how fast you can drive. These limits are put in place to ensure safety and order, just like mathematical limits help us understand the behavior of functions in calculus and analysis.