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

“The government was able to take control for a maximum of a few months,” Murdy said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 14, 2026

The committee added the "nature of the conduct described and the accompanying circumstances" means that "the maximum sanction, a 12-match suspension, is justified".

From BBC ● Nov. 13, 2026

A coalition of business groups, including the California Chamber of Commerce, opposed the breadth of buildings that could receive a maximum fine and argued the bill could create very large costs for property owners.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 10, 2026

Eliminating the taxable maximum is one of several potential proposals that have been weighed.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 9, 2026

If a spy, Jerry, could be planted with them in an outdoor cage, it would be unsurprising if their conversations were being monitored here, in a maximum security prison.

From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers

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

In momentum space, free electrons are found in the local minima and maxima of the energy landscape, namely at points where the conduction and valence bands meet.

From Science Daily ● Jan. 17, 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

And ordinarily the maxima and minima of each month and, indeed, of each week are widely apart.

From The Philosophy of the Weather And a Guide to Its Changes by Thomas Belden Butler

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

Razaullah's thrilling knock included nine sixes, tying the record for the most maximums in an innings by a batter on Test debut.

From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026

The maximums typically rise each year with inflation.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 26, 2026

Deductibles average $5,000 for silver plans and $7,500 for bronze plans; out-of-pocket maximums were between $9,000 and $10,000, the research showed.

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 28, 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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