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 In a step to further help jobless hurricane survivors, Gov. Roy Cooper recently signed an executive order increasing the weekly benefit by $250, to a maximum of $600, until North Carolina’s state of emergency ends. Tami Luhby, CNN, 21 Oct. 2024 Turtle Island’s first hotel guests came in 1980 but even as word of the place spread and North American travelers suddenly put Fiji on their travel radar, Evanson committed to sharing paradise with a maximum of 14 couples. David Hochman, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024 Per that amendment, the total number of wards must be odd-numbered, with a minimum of 11 wards and a maximum of 25. Sam Allard, Axios, 17 Oct. 2024 In Albania, the migrants retain their right under international and European Union law to apply for asylum in Italy and have their claims processed there, a move expected to take a maximum of 28 days, including any appeal case, to process. Llazar Semini, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 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 5 Nov. 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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