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

• maximumly
  adverb
• submaximum
  adjective

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

In 2025, plaintiff lawyers filed 207 new securities class actions representing a maximum market value loss of $3 trillion, while total settlements for active securities class actions in the same year reached $3 billion.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026

The full retirement age is 67 for those born after 1960, but a maximum monthly benefit is given to those who wait until 70 to claim Social Security.

From MarketWatch • May 29, 2026

District Judge Dena Coggins on Sept. 11, and faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, at the discretion of the court and the federal sentencing guidelines.

From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 2026

Somerville said the government had learned lessons from previous schemes, noting the maximum house price cap.

From BBC • May 27, 2026

Gunters called this “making the climb to ninety-nine,” because ninety-ninth level was the maximum power level an avatar could attain.

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

Related Words

• ceiling
• peak