maximum
noun
max·i·mum
ˈmak-s(ə-)məm 
plural maxima
ˈmak-sə-mə
or maximums
ˈmak-s(ə-)məmz
or maximums
ˈmak-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
maximum
adjective
Examples of maximum in a Sentence
achieved the maximum
Recent Examples on the Web
Finney-Smith’s arrival leaves Charlotte with 17 players on standard pacts and when factoring the utilization of the maximum of three two-way contract slots into account when they are officially filled, that pushes the Hornets up to 20.
—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
3 July 2026
The sun attained solar maximum in 2024, releasing intense flares and coronal mass ejections that caused Earth’s atmosphere to expand, which only intensified the drag on Swift, according to NASA.
—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
3 July 2026
At $2,500 a year, half the annual maximum, the account grows to $121,632.
—
Ryan Ermey,
CNBC,
3 July 2026
The Viking Mississippi by contrast has 193 cabins for a maximum of 386 passengers.
—
Jane Wooldridge,
Travel + Leisure,
3 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for maximum
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Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
3 July 2026
The sun attained solar maximum in 2024, releasing intense flares and coronal mass ejections that caused Earth’s atmosphere to expand, which only intensified the drag on Swift, according to NASA.
—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
3 July 2026
At $2,500 a year, half the annual maximum, the account grows to $121,632.
—
Ryan Ermey,
CNBC,
3 July 2026
The Viking Mississippi by contrast has 193 cabins for a maximum of 386 passengers.
—
Jane Wooldridge,
Travel + Leisure,
3 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for maximum
Cite this Entry
“Maximum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maximum. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
maximum
noun
max·i·mum
ˈmak-s(ə-)məm
plural maxima
-sə-mə
or maximums
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
plural maxima
-sə-mə
or maximums
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
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