pa·ram·e·ter 
/pəˈræmətɚ/ noun
plural pa·ram·e·ters /pəˈræmətɚ/ noun [count] : a rule or limit that controls what something is or how something should be done — usually plural ▪ First we need to set/define the parameters of the project. ▪ The investigation stayed within the parameters set by the court.
