maximum

noun

max·​i·​mum ˈmak-s(ə-)məm 

plural maxima ˈmak-sə-mə  or maximums ˈmak-s(ə-)məmz 

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

Synonyms of maximum

• max
• most
• utmost

Examples of maximum in a Sentence

achieved the maximum

Recent Examples on the Web

There’s a $15 maximum that signs say takes effect after five hours, but the math on that seems off (unless there’s an increase to $3 an hour in the works). —Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2026

Temperatures on Saturday were expected to be several degrees lower, with a maximum in the low-to-mid 90s in some inland communities, but remained well above the seasonal average. —Austin Turner, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026

The run itself should feel hard and uncomfortable, and your heart rate will likely be 75 to 90% (or possibly more) of your maximum, Campbell says. —Jenny McCoy, SELF, 20 Mar. 2026

House Bill 913 would thrust new three-month work requirements onto adult Medicaid expansion recipients to maintain their health care coverage — the maximum allowed under federal legislation passed last year to be enrolled in the program. —Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin, neuter of maximus biggest — more at maxim

First Known Use

1663, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing maximum

• maximum likelihood
• maximum occupancy
• maximum security prison

Kids Definition

maximum

noun

max·​i·​mum ˈmak-s(ə-)məm 

plural maxima -sə-mə  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 

plural maxima -sə-mə  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