magnum
Americannoun
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magnums
plural
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a large wine bottle having a capacity of two ordinary bottles or 1.5 liters (1.6 quarts).
-
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
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
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.
See Examples For:
But for range and ambition, John Dos Passos’ three-volume magnum opus makes a claim to the accolade.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 19, 2026
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
Yet long before earning all these accolades, Shakira was a teen girl in Baranquilla, Colombia, waiting in line at her local record store for a copy of Nirvana’s 1991 grunge magnum opus, “Nevermind.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 18, 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
Copernicus published his magnum opus on his deathbed—in 1543, just before the church started clamping down on new ideas.
From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife
This was the cheapest of all the magnums I purchased—and the wine that inspired my friend’s joyful words.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 22, 2025
More unusual items include opened and unopened magnums of champagne presented at Mr Mansell's racing wins, as well as a commemorative Japanese crystal dagger.
From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2023
There are other signs, too: exclusive magnums of Champagne, doting service from the hotelier and discussions about books and writers and the trappings of celebrity.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 2, 2018
There are other signs, too: exclusive magnums of champagne, doting service from the hotelier and discussions about books and writers and the trappings of celebrity.
From New York Times ● Aug. 2, 2018
Smith no doubt attended their periodical festivities, or paid his fine of eight magnums of claret for absence.
From Life of Adam Smith by John Rae
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
