Definition of maximum
maxima
play \-sə-mə\ ormaximums
play \-s(ə-)məmz\1a : the greatest quantity or value attainable or attainedb : 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
adjectiveFrom the M-W Editors
Recent Examples of maximum from the Web
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The app will continue to record, and when you're done (after a maximum of 60 seconds) the series will appear in the form of thumbnails at the bottom of the screen.
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Ms. Malliotakis’s filing also included two donations of $4,950 — the maximum allowed under the city’s campaign finance rules — from Republican backers of President Trump’s campaign: Robert Mercer, a wealthy financier, and his daughter, Rebekah.
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This means the fish can be on the grill a little longer to absorb maximum smoke without burning or drying.
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At present, most regions reach a wet-bulb maximum of 26 or 27 degrees Celsius; the true red line for habitability is 35 degrees.
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The ACA also sets an annual maximum on the amount of money a patient must contribute to help cover the bills.
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As for Westbrook, the Thunder were expected to crack open the bank vault and offer him a five-year extension worth around $200 million — the maximum allowed — at the start of Saturday’s free agency period.
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To win big contracts, GE is trading a global footprint designed for maximum efficiencies of scale for a greater presence in local markets.
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Lallatin had faced a maximum of 20 years in prison and five years to life of possible supervision.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'maximum.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of maximum
Latin, neuter of maximus biggest — more at maxim
Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms
MAXIMUM Defined for English Language Learners
maximum
playDefinition of maximum for English Language Learners
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: the highest number or amount that is possible or allowed
MAXIMUM Defined for Kids
Definition of maximum for Students
maxima
\-sə-mə\ ormaximums
: the highest value : greatest amount We had to pay the maximum.
Definition of maximum for Students
: as great as possible in amount or degree We work with maximum efficiency.
Definition of maximum for Students
: at the most … it will only take her two minutes—maximum—to get home. — Betsy Byars, The Computer Nut
Medical Dictionary
maximum
playMedical Definition of maximum
maxima
\-sə-mə\play ormaximums
1a: the greatest quantity or value attainable or attainedb: 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
adjectiveLearn More about maximum
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for maximum Spanish Central: Translation of maximum Nglish: Translation of maximum for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of maximum for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about maximum
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