magnum
Americannoun
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a large wine bottle having a capacity of two ordinary bottles or 1.5 liters (1.6 quarts).
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a magnum cartridge or firearm.
adjective
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(of a cartridge) equipped with a larger charge than other cartridges of the same size.
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(of a firearm) using such a cartridge.
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Informal. unusually great in power or size.
a magnum spotlight; a magnum dosage.
noun
Etymology
Origin of magnum
1780–90; < Latin, neuter of magnus large; in reference to firearms, originally used as a trademark by the Smith and Wesson Co.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In 1962, Macdonald published his magnum opus of cultural criticism, “Against the American Grain: Essays on the Effects of Mass Culture,” containing the most famous of his essays, “Masscult & Midcult.”
From Salon • Apr. 19, 2026
But through Bad Bunny, Puerto Rico had something to say: He tapped into his unique star power with his zeitgeist-defining magnum opus, his 2025 album “Debí Tirar Más Fotos.”
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 9, 2026
After inspecting a gifted magnum of Chinese wine, he stressed that the country "knew how to produce" -- another worry for French producers.
From Barron's • Feb. 9, 2026
Wines that are both good and reasonably priced are not often available in the 1.5-liter magnum size.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 22, 2025
“The point is, she is your magnum opus. Only a Pellinore can catch her. You have told us so often.”
From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
