maxim

noun

max·im | \ ˈmak-səm

Definition of maxim

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : a general truth, fundamental principle, or rule of conduct Mother's favorite maxim was "Don't count your chickens before they hatch."

2 : a proverbial saying advised her daughter with the maxim "marry in haste, repent at leisure"

Maxim

biographical name (1)

Max·im | \ ˈmak-səm

Definition of Maxim (Entry 2 of 3)

Sir Hiram Stevens 1840–1916 British (American-born) inventor

Maxim

biographical name (2)

Definition of Maxim (Entry 3 of 3)

Hudson 1853–1927 brother of Hiram Maxim American inventor

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about maxim

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Examples of maxim in a Sentence

Noun

it's a common maxim that “a watched pot never boils,” but that's not literally true

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Microsoft is finally catching on to a maxim that security experts have almost universally accepted for years: periodic password changes are likely to do more harm than good. — Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, "Microsoft says mandatory password changing is “ancient and obsolete”," 3 June 2019 The dirty work of democracy is often compared to the making of sausages, but Australians almost take that maxim literally — turning Election Day into a countrywide barbecue, in which the grilling of hot dogs is optional but voting is compulsory. — Tacey Rychter, The Seattle Times, "Australia tells America: Here’s how to fix your voting system," 22 Oct. 2018 Still, William Goldman’s showbiz maxim applies: nobody knows anything. — Jason Gay, WSJ, "It’s La-La Land for LeBron James," 2 July 2018 The reality is Tip O’Neill’s maxim no longer applies: All local politics is now national. — Chris Stirewalt, Fox News, "Will a justice delayed be a justice denied?," 19 Sep. 2018 Inside a dorm set aside for teenage girls, the walls were spare, dotted with snapshots of birthday parties and painted with inspirational maxims; the doors lock from inside and out. — New York Times, "16 and Alone, Inside a Center for Separated Children in New York," 21 June 2018 And inside the Milan Metropol this afternoon, there was a pivotal moment during Dolce & Gabbana’s distinctly age-diverse and inclusive Spring 2019 show that embodied this maxim. — Lauren Valenti, Vogue, "This Mother-Daughter Model Duo Just Had an Ageless Beauty Moment at Dolce & Gabbana," 23 Sep. 2018 To play on an old maxim, people who are unwilling to apologize are either Gods or monsters. — Jennifer Wright, Harper's BAZAAR, "Why Men Need to Say Sorry More," 31 July 2018 Assemblywoman Blanca Rubio, D-Baldwin Park, said, quoting the old maxim often attributed to Mark Twain. — Taryn Luna And Alexei Koseff, sacbee, "Get ready to save water: Permanent California restrictions approved by Gov. Jerry Brown," 31 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'maxim.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.