Definition:Limit (Category Theory)

Definition
Let $\mathbf C$ be a metacategory.

Let $D: \mathbf J \to \mathbf C$ be a $\mathbf J$-diagram in $\mathbf C$.

Let $\mathbf{Cone} \left({D}\right)$ be the category of cones to $D$.

A limit for $D$ is a terminal object in $\mathbf{Cone} \left({D}\right)$.

It is denoted by $\varprojlim_j D_j$; the associated morphisms $p_i: \varprojlim_j D_j \to D_i$ are usually left implicit.

Finite Limit
If $\mathbf J$ is a finite category, then $\varprojlim_j D_j$ is called a finite limit.

Also known as
The most important other name for this concept is inverse limit.

Other authors speak of limiting cones, but this is rare.

Also see

 * Colimit, the dual notion