maximize

American

[mak-suh-mahyz] / ˈmæk səˌmaɪz /

especially British, maximise

verb (used with object)

maximized, maximizing

to increase to the greatest possible amount or degree.

to look for ways of maximizing profit.
to represent at the highest possible estimate; magnify.

He maximized his importance in the program, minimizing the contributions of the other participants.
to make the greatest or fullest use of.

Maximize your time by planning ahead.

maximize British

/ ˈmæksɪˌmaɪz /

verb

(tr) to make as high or great as possible; increase to a maximum
maths to find the maximum of (a function)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

maximation noun
maximization noun
maximizer noun

Etymology

Origin of maximize

First recorded in 1795–1805; maxim(um) + -ize

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.

And bear in mind, those figures were attained using low-viscosity motor oil, to reduce frictional losses and maximize fuel economy.

From The Wall Street Journal

There’s no one correct asset allocation for someone in their 70s, but most experts suggest shifting from maximizing growth to prioritizing income, stability and, of course, longevity.

From MarketWatch

"We play this game to be great and maximize our potential and we still feel like we have a lot of room to grow and that's what we're chasing."

From Barron's

I try to maximize endurance, because if you can be average for an above-average amount of time, you tend to do extremely well.

From MarketWatch

That employee is helping maximize its products or services.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023