maximum

noun

max·​i·​mum ˈmak-s(ə-)məm How to pronounce maximum (audio)
plural maxima ˈmak-sə-mə How to pronounce maximum (audio) or maximums ˈmak-s(ə-)məmz How to pronounce maximum (audio)
1
a
: the greatest quantity or value attainable or attained
b
: the period of highest, greatest, or utmost development
2
: an upper limit allowed (as by a legal authority) or allowable (as by the circumstances of a particular case)
3
: the largest of a set of numbers
specifically : the largest value assumed by a real-valued continuous function defined on a closed interval
maximum adjective

Examples of maximum in a Sentence

achieved the maximum
Recent Examples on the Web The name of course, refers to an international form of cricket, where where each team faces a maximum of twenty overs. Tim Chan, Variety, 18 June 2024 The Company will be responsible to pay all reasonable and properly incurred expenses of TSC's due diligence exercise to a maximum of 30,000 British pounds provided that any individual expense in excess of 2000 British pounds must be preapproved by the Company. Charlotte Observer, 17 June 2024 Republicans have also called for essentially doubling the penalties for election law violations to a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine — up from the current maximum. Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 17 June 2024 The maximum is three, four-year terms in the office. Lisa J. Huriash, Sun Sentinel, 16 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for maximum 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'maximum.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin, neuter of maximus biggest — more at maxim

First Known Use

1663, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of maximum was in 1663

Dictionary Entries Near maximum

Cite this Entry

“Maximum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maximum. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

maximum

noun
max·​i·​mum ˈmak-s(ə-)məm How to pronounce maximum (audio)
plural maxima -sə-mə How to pronounce maximum (audio) or maximums
1
: the highest quantity, value, or development
2
: an upper limit allowed
maximum adjective

Medical Definition

maximum

noun
max·​i·​mum ˈmak-s(ə-)məm How to pronounce maximum (audio)
plural maxima -sə-mə How to pronounce maximum (audio) or maximums
1
a
: the greatest quantity or value attainable or attained
b
: the period of highest, greatest, or utmost development
2
: an upper limit allowed (as by a legal authority) or allowable (as by the circumstances of a particular case)
maximum adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on maximum

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