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

The budget includes a provision that restricts the maximum tax credit companies can claim in a given year to $5 million or 50% of a company’s tax state tax liability, whichever is greater.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026

"I think everyone should give an equal amount. Probably about £10 per parent, I think the maximum is probably £20," she says.

From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026

Amato questioned whether the desalination plant proposed for Filicudi should be built for the 250 permanent residents or for the "maximum number of tourists that Filicudi can have during the peak of the season".

From Barron's ● Jul. 13, 2026

While there is a constitutional minimum age for public service — 30 for the Senate, 25 for the House and 35 for President, there is not a maximum age.

From Salon ● Jul. 12, 2026

In Japan, a law set the maximum exposure allowed for a nuclear power plant worker under normal conditions at 50 mSv a year, or 100 mSv over five years.

From "Meltdown" by Deirdre Langeland

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

Nor is there so much difficulty or chance in determining it as in determining the ordinary maxima and minima of vulgar political economy.

From Unto This Last and Other Essays on Political Economy by Ruskin, John

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

Health savings accounts offer tax-free contributions, growth, and withdrawals for medical expenses, with 2026 maximums of $4,400 for individuals and $8,750 for families.

From Barron's ● Dec. 18, 2025

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

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 17, 2025

BBC Sport has spoken to Murphy and Hill about this rush of maximums.

From BBC ● Dec. 2, 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