Definition of maxim
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”
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Examples of maxim in a Sentence
it's a common maxim that “a watched pot never boils,” but that's not literally true
Recent Examples of maxim from the Web
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Italians have tended to do well at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, and Thursday’s fine showing by Leonardo Pierdomenico hinted at the possibility that maxim was going to apply this time as well.
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Franklin even went so far as to print his own almanack, under a pseudonym that was known to everyone, to ensure that everyone could have access to his maxims, witticisms, and cartoons.
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.
Origin and Etymology of maxim
Middle English maxime, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin maxima, from Latin, feminine of maximus, superlative of magnus large — more at much
First Known Use: 1567
Other Literature Terms
Maxim
playDefinition of Maxim
Sir Hiram Stevens 1840–1916 British (American-born) inventor
Maxim
Definition of Maxim
Hudson 1853–1927 brother of Hiram Maxim American inventor
MAXIM Defined for English Language Learners
maxim
playDefinition of maxim for English Language Learners
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: a well-known phrase that expresses a general truth about life or a rule about behavior
MAXIM Defined for Kids
maxim
playDefinition of maxim for Students
: a short saying (as “live and let live”) expressing a general truth or rule of conduct
Learn More about maxim
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for maxim Spanish Central: Translation of maxim Nglish: Translation of maxim for Spanish speakers
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