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

Current regulations limit long-haul drivers to a maximum of driving for 11 hours within a single 14-hour on-duty window, followed by a mandatory 10-hour break.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 17, 2026

Planning documents for an outline planning application detail a "temporary ancillary energy centre" with gas turbines that have a maximum generating capacity of 49.9MW.

From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026

Its maximum extent was the third lowest on record, adding to growing evidence of a dramatic shift in Antarctica's frozen waters.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 16, 2026

President Prabowo Subianto on Monday ordered the government to mobilise maximum efforts, with officials saying more than 60,000 personnel had been deployed to combat fires on the ground.

From Barron's ● Oct. 14, 2026

He was sitting quietly on the outside edge of his circle, at the maximum length of his chain.

From "Woodsong" by Gary Paulsen

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

During eccentricity maxima Earth moves closer to the Sun allowing for more sunlight to reach the Earth surface.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 30, 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

Therefore he did not know, poor knight, whether to fall at the knees of the hetman, or to beat his own breast, repeating, "Mea culpa, mea maxima culpa."

From Pan Michael An Historical Novel of Poland, the Ukraine, and Turkey. by Henryk Sienkiewicz

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

Employees and teams can earn between $10,000 and $25,000 for major contributions to the enterprise—five times previous award maximums.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 31, 2026

Premium growth slowed compared to prior years, but out-of-pocket maximums continued to climb.

From Barron's ● May 27, 2026

After the last of those maximums flew over the rope, Brook and Root walked off together, a job well done and the series win well within their grasp.

From BBC ● Jan. 27, 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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