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

Derived Forms

• submaximum
  adjective
• maximumly
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• maxima
  plural
• maximums
  plural

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

See Examples For:

maximum maxima maximums

Saeed Laylaz, Tehran-based economic expert, told AFP that the new US measures were of a piece with Trump's so-called "maximum pressure" approach, which he has pursued for years.

From Barron's ● Aug. 25, 2026

Professional students, a group that includes those pursuing degrees in medicine, dentistry or law, can borrow a maximum of $50,000 a year and a total of $200,000, according to the U.S.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 24, 2026

That fund already reached the maximum number of applicants, according to the Orange County United Way.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 24, 2026

However, increasing limits to maximum draft due to take effect Aug. 26 and Sept. 3 in the Neopanamax locks will be postponed to Sept. 3 and Oct.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 24, 2026

Once I’d collected the maximum of five Cue Card Power-Ups I began to relax, and the game actually started to be fun.

From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline

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

During eccentricity maxima Earth moves closer to the Sun allowing for more sunlight to reach the Earth surface.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 30, 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

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

The values of the molecular conductivities of all neutral salts are, at great dilution, of the same order of magnitude, while those of acids at their maxima are about three times as large.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 8 "Conduction, Electric" by Various

The maximums typically rise each year with inflation.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 26, 2026

Holder was run out off the penultimate ball of the innings for 49 off 31 balls with three maximums.

From Barron's ● Feb. 26, 2026

The formula for calculating family maximums is somewhat complex, but the agency explains it in detail here if you want to dive into the specifics.

From MarketWatch ● Jan. 24, 2026

Out-of-pocket maximums are also high — $10,600 per individual and $21,200 for a family.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 17, 2025

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

From "Spooked!" by Gail Jarrow

Related Words

• ceiling
• peak