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
\
Definition of maximum
1a
: 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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Examples of maximum in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Buschauer, a retired engineer, faces a minimum of 20 years on the first-degree murder conviction and a maximum of 60. — George Houde, chicagotribune.com, "Barrington man found guilty in 2000 drowning of wife in bathtub over disagreements about home construction problems," 23 Aug. 2019 Place on a plate or bowl and refrigerate for 24 hours, or at least 12 hours, or a maximum of 48 hours. — Carrie Knauer, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "Carrie’s Kitchen: Trio of grilling recipes to get us through the end of summer," 12 Aug. 2019 Students must have a high interest in art, and a maximum of eight students will be accepted. — Maysoon Khan, BostonGlobe.com, "Teen art classes, egg decorating, and a West African beverage company," 8 Aug. 2019 There is a $5 admission fee per dog and a maximum of two dogs per handler. — courant.com, "Community News For The Manchester Edition," 1 Aug. 2019 The penalty is $50 for possessing less than one ounce of pot or a maximum of $200 for one to two ounces. — Fox News, "New York reduces penalties for marijuana possession, expunges some convictions," 30 July 2019 Under the new law, the maximum penalty is $50 for possessing less than one ounce of pot and a maximum of $200 for between one and two ounces. — Washington Post, "National Digest: N.Y. law lessens penalties for marijuana possession," 30 July 2019 Under Nevada law, a simple battery charge carries a maximum sentence of six months in jail or a maximum of 200 hours of community service in lieu of jail. — Michael Mccann, SI.com, "Could Roger Goodell Change Mind in Disciplining Ezekiel Elliott After Pressed Charges?," 16 July 2019 The charge carries a minimum 10-year prison sentence and a maximum of life in prison. — Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Federal jury in San Diego convicts father-son duo on child prostitution charges," 10 June 2019These 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.
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More Definitions for maximum
maximum
noun
English Language Learners Definition of maximum
: the highest number or amount that is possible or allowed
See the full definition for maximum in the English Language Learners Dictionary
maximum
noun
max·i·mum
| \ ˈmak-sə-məm
\
\
plural maxima\ -sə-mə \
or maximums
Kids Definition of maximum
(Entry 1 of 3)
: the highest value : greatest amount
We had to pay the maximum.
maximum
adjectiveKids Definition of maximum (Entry 2 of 3)
: as great as possible in amount or degree
We work with maximum efficiency.
maximum
adverbKids Definition of maximum (Entry 3 of 3)
: at the most
… it will only take her two minutes—maximum—to get home.— Betsy Byars, The Computer Nut
maximum
noun
max·i·mum
| \ ˈmak-s(ə-)məm
\
\
plural maxima\ -sə-mə
\
or maximums
\
or maximums
Medical Definition of maximum
1a
: 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)