maximum

UK: /ˈmæksɪməm/ US: /ˈmæksəməm/ ,(mak′sə məm)

Inflections of 'maximum' (n):

maximums

npl

maxima

npl

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

max•i•mum /ˈmæksəməm/   n., pl. -mums, -ma /-mə/   adj. 

n. [countable]

1. the highest amount, value, or degree that can be reached:
   At a maximum, we have twenty students in each class.
2. an upper limit allowed by regulation:
   raising the maximums of permitted imports.

adj. [before a noun]

3. being the greatest, largest, or highest that can be reached:
   a maximum prison sentence of 50 years.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

max•i•mum  (mak′sə məm), n., pl. -mums, -ma (-mə),  adj. 

n. 

1. the greatest quantity or amount possible, assignable, allowable, etc.
2. the highest amount, value, or degree attained or recorded.
3. an upper limit allowed or allowable by law or regulation.
4. [Math.]
   • Also called relative maximum, local maximum. the value of a function at a certain point in its domain, which is greater than or equal to the values at all other points in the immediate vicinity of the point. Cf. absolute maximum. 
   • the point in the domain at which a maximum occurs.

adj. 

5. that is a maximum;
   greatest or highest possible or attained:
   maximum satisfaction; maximum temperature.
6. pertaining to a maximum or maximums.

• Latin, noun, nominal use of neuter of maximus, superlative of magnus great, large
• 1730–40

max′i•mum•ly, adv. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

maximum / ˈmæksɪməm/ noun ( -mums, -ma / -mə/)

1. the greatest possible amount, degree, etc
2. the highest value of a variable quantity

adjective

1. of, being, or showing a maximum or maximums

Abbreviation: max Etymology: 18th Century: from Latin: greatest (the neuter form used as noun), from magnus great