maximum

American  

[mak-suh-muhm] / ˈmæk sə məm /

noun

• maximums,
  plural
• maxima
  plural

1. 

   the greatest quantity or amount possible, assignable, allowable, etc.

2. the highest amount, value, or degree attained or recorded.

3. an upper limit allowed or allowable by law or regulation.

4. Mathematics.

   1. Also called relative maximum, local maximum. the value of a function at a certain point in its domain, which is greater than or equal to the values at all other points in the immediate vicinity of the point.

   2. the point in the domain at which a maximum occurs.

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adjective

1. that is a maximum; greatest or highest possible or attained.

   maximum satisfaction; maximum temperature.

2. pertaining to a maximum or maximums.

maximum British  

/ ˈmæksɪməm /

noun

1. the greatest possible amount, degree, etc

2. the highest value of a variable quantity

3. maths

   1. a value of a function that is greater than any neighbouring value

   2. a stationary point on a curve at which the tangent changes from a positive value on the left of this point to a negative value on the right Compare minimum

   3. the largest number in a set

4. astronomy

   1. the time at which the brightness of a variable star has its greatest value

   2. the magnitude of the star at that time

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adjective

1. of, being, or showing a maximum or maximums

maximum Scientific  

/ măk′sə-məm /

• maximums
  plural

1. The greatest known or greatest possible number, measure, quantity, or degree.

2. The greatest value of a mathematical function, if it has such a value.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• submaximum
  adjective
• maximumly
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• maxima
  plural
• maximums
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of maximum

First recorded in 1730–40; from Latin, noun use of neuter of maximus, superlative of magnus “great, large”

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Explanation

Both a noun and an adjective, maximum takes it to the max: it means the most, the fastest, the biggest. "The most you can have is the maximum": that's the noun. In "the maximum amount is the most you can have," it's used as an adjective. You might be familiar with the shortened version of the word: the "max." If you take something "to the max," you're doing as much of it as possible. You take it to the limit. You take it to the maximum.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

maximum maxima maximums

Moon stressed he had applied for the maximum loan of £50,000 within the rules, regularly seeking professional advice about its obligations, and would provide documents to the Labour Party investigation into the matter.

From BBC ● Oct. 20, 2026

At the moment, 18 holes at East Potomac costs a maximum of $48.

From Barron's ● Oct. 20, 2026

This demonstrated that the surrounding environment was sufficiently quiet and stable to preserve the molecules' quantum coherence for the maximum physically permitted duration.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 20, 2026

Mattel said Griffith will receive an annual base salary of $1.3 million, a $1.4 million signing bonus and an annual bonus with a target of 100% of his base pay and a maximum of 200%.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 19, 2026

The maximum number of NeuroLink users will be online around the world at the height of this final game.

From "Warcross" by Marie Lu

In a 2021 study, researchers including Owens showed that geomagnetic storms tend to occur more often during periods of higher activity, centered around peaks known as solar maxima.

From Science Magazine ● May 13, 2024

This popular methodology, which relies on machine learning, can be used to determine the maxima of a function of an unknown shape.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 5, 2024

"We found that the overall temperature averages seemed stable for a simple reason. While the minimum temperatures have been steadily on the rise, the surface temperature maxima in summer were consistently dropping," says Salerno.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 4, 2023

Silverman recently finished her second week of guest hosting “The Daily Show” and reaped a shiny mea culpa maxima profile in the Los Angeles Times.

From Salon ● Dec. 3, 2023

There are secular progressive variations of dip as well as of declination and the maxima are independent of each other.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 5 "Dinard" to "Dodsworth" by Various

By law, the insurance portion has to meet certain standards, such as annual out-of-pocket maximums and minimum deductibles.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

Buttler won it in the following over, clubbing 18 from four Malinga deliveries, with two maximums hammered over the leg side.

From BBC ● Sep. 19, 2026

The maximums typically rise each year with inflation.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 26, 2026

Premium growth slowed compared to prior years, but out-of-pocket maximums continued to climb.

From Barron's ● May 27, 2026

The weather report was routine—even boring—with details about air pressure, wind speeds, and temperature maximums and minimums.

From "Spooked!" by Gail Jarrow

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