maximum

noun max·i·mum \ ˈmak-s(ə-)məm \

|Updated on: 26 Jun 2018

Definition of maximum

plural maxima play \-sə-mə\ or maximums play \-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

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maximum

adjective

See maximum defined for English-language learners

See maximum defined for kids

Recent Examples of maximum from the Web

Designed for flexibility, the 200,000-square-foot venue incorporates innovative moveable walls that can expand and contract to create four different seating capacities that range from an intimate setting of 3,000 seats to a maximum of 6,400.

— staff report, Houston Chronicle, "Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land touts success in year-in-review," 22 June 2018
The right-wing extremist was sentenced to a maximum of 21 years in prison — the longest prison sentence possible in Norway — and has since been held in near-isolation in a prison in the city of Skien.

— siobhán o'grady, Washington Post, "European court rejects mass murderer Anders Breivik’s claim that isolation in three-room cell is inhumane," 21 June 2018
Residents of Milton and Alpharetta will pay in-district fees, while those from outside the two cities will pay a 50 percent surcharge, to a maximum of $90, the agreement states.

— david ibata, ajc, "Milton OKs STEM summer camps," 20 June 2018
Learning to walk again and use my hand frustrates me to a maximum.

— kristi turnquist, OregonLive.com, "Woman injured in PSU hit-and-run says 'it's been difficult,' shares charity fundraising goal," 10 June 2018
Through the end of the summer, OkCupid will donate $1 to the ACLU for every user who sports the badge, to a maximum of $50,000.

— refinery29.com, "7 LGBTQ+ People Talk Dating In The Trump Era," 6 June 2018
Commissioners in March decided to put the question of the gas tax on the ballot, allowing voters to decide whether to increase the tax to the maximum of 11 cents a gallon for the local-option taxes.

— lauren ritchie, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Forget the gas tax — voters probably will be asked to tax themselves for school safety," 31 May 2018
The 36-hole event will take place July 21-22 and will be open to a maximum of 144 players.

— drew davison, star-telegram, "Trinity Forest to host inaugural Dallas amateur golf championships," 29 May 2018
In mid-February, state officials shut down admissions to Strategic and then gave the center the maximum fine allowed under state law — $20,000.

— cassie cope and fred clasen-kelly, charlotteobserver, "Youth psych center faced abuse allegations. So why did Cardinal keep sending patients?," 8 June 2018

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1663

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

maximum Synonyms

Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms

abscissa, denominator, divisor, equilateral, exponent, hypotenuse, logarithm, oblique, radii, rhomb

MAXIMUM Defined for English Language Learners

maximum

noun

Definition of maximum for English Language Learners

: the highest number or amount that is possible or allowed

MAXIMUM Defined for Kids

maximum

noun max·i·mum \ ˈmak-sə-məm \

Definition of maximum for Students

plural maxima \-sə-mə\ or maximums

: the highest value : greatest amount

We had to pay the maximum.

maximum

adjective

Definition of maximum for Students

: as great as possible in amount or degree

We work with maximum efficiency.

maximum

adverb

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

noun max·i·mum \ ˈmak-s(ə-)məm \

medical Definition of maximum

plural maxima play \-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

Learn More about maximum

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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Definition of maximum

maximum

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Origin and Etymology of maximum

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MAXIMUM Defined for English Language Learners

maximum

Definition of maximum for English Language Learners

MAXIMUM Defined for Kids

maximum

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maximum

Definition of maximum for Students

maximum

Definition of maximum for Students

Medical Dictionary

maximum

medical Definition of maximum

maximum

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