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,.  Also called 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

• maximumly
  adverb
• submaximum
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of maximum

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

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

Maximum annual deduction is $12,500 or $25,000 for joint filers, and phases out phases out for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income over $150,000 or $300,000 for joint filers.

From Barron's • Jan. 23, 2026

Maximum temperatures by day will be around 0 to 7C over the next few days before dropping further.

From BBC • Dec. 30, 2025

Maximum parallel conversion capacity is about 60 factories per year.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 30, 2025

Enter Paltrow and Ryan Reynolds, whose production company, Maximum Effort, was contracted to create an advertisement starring Paltrow that reframed the public narrative.

From Salon • Dec. 22, 2025

“So,” Kyle said to Sierra, “tell me about those kids in Maximum Ride. How exactly did they fly?”

From "Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics" by Chris Grabenstein

Related Words

• ceiling
• peak