You use maximum to describe an amount which is the largest that is possible, allowed, or required.
Under planning law the maximum height for a fence or hedge is 2 metres.
China headed the table with maximum points.
Synonyms: greatest, highest, supreme, paramount More Synonyms of maximum
Maximum is also a noun.
The law provides for a maximum of two years in prison. [+ of]
Twelve hours is the minimum, sixty hours the maximum.
2. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
You use maximum to indicate how great an amount is.
...the maximum amount of information.
It was achieved with minimum fuss and maximum efficiency.
...a maximum security prison.
3. adverb
If you say that something is a particular amount maximum, you mean that this is the greatest amount it should be or could possibly be, although a smalleramount is acceptable or very possible.
We need an extra 6g a day maximum.
4.
See to the maximum
More Synonyms of maximum
maximum in British English
(ˈmæksɪməm)
nounWord forms: plural-mums or -ma (-mə)
1.
the greatest possible amount, degree, etc
2.
the highest value of a variable quantity
3. mathematics
a.
a value of a function that is greater than any neighbouring value
b.
a stationary point on a curve at which the tangent changes from a positive value on the left of this point to a negative value on the right
Compare minimum (sense 4)
c.
the largest number in a set
4. astronomy
a.
the time at which the brightness of a variable star has its greatest value
b.
the magnitude of the star at that time
adjective
5.
of, being, or showing a maximum or maximums
Abbreviation: max
Word origin
C18: from Latin: greatest (the neuter form used as noun), from magnus great
maximum in American English
(ˈmæksəməm)
nounWord forms: pluralˈmaximums or ˈmaxima (ˈmæksɪmə)
1.
the greatest quantity, number, or degree possible or permissible
2.
the highest degree or point (of a varying quantity, as temperature) reached or recorded; upper limit of variation
3. Ancient Mathematics
the largest of a specified set of real numbers
adjective
4.
greatest possible, permissible, or reached
5.
of, marking, or setting a maximum or maximums
Word origin
L, neut. of maximus, superl. of magnus, great: see magni-
Examples of 'maximum' in a sentence
maximum
You have to try to make them as minimal as possible for maximum impact.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Apply it with a brush for maximum efficiency.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Their interest is in selling you the maximum amount of storage.
Computing (2010)
He covered ten yards with three big strides to gain maximum height from the jump off his strongest leg.
The Sun (2016)
Now there are no weeks apart - we set a maximum of a few days if necessary.
The Sun (2016)
The maximum sentence is six months in prison and an unlimited fine but campaigners would like to see this increased to three years.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
But you'll need maximum tact at work when you find yourself in charge of friends.
The Sun (2016)
The line has a maximum speed limit of 50mph.
The Sun (2016)
What is the maximum number of you need to try the locks so as to match all 4 keys to their locks?
The Sun (2016)
The 52-year-old is expected to plead not guilty to the criminal charges that carry a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
You wonder whether they can get maximum points out of that.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Your confidence and determination are set at maximum and it is action time for your biggest ambition.
The Sun (2016)
The maximum amount of work they can do in a day is set at six hours.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The star makes sure he only stays in the country for a maximum six months a year.
The Sun (2011)
The airport is set to reach its maximum number of permitted flights next summer.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
People who give to charities expect their donations to have maximum impact and value for money.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The figure awarded was based on an overall score expressed as a percentage of the maximum possible.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
This encourages you to keep your exercise intensity within ideal limits for maximum efficiency.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
This sentence had a minimum and a maximum length.
Coyle, Andrew & Stern, Vivien The Prisons We Deserve (1994)
The two main defendants on the arms dealing charge face a maximum prison sentence of ten years.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
We need maximum points at home plus any away.
The Sun (2010)
This allowed the architects to squeeze three storeys below the maximum height allowed by planners.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
We have lifted our speed up to maximum and then slowly ease it down.
The Sun (2012)
After this year they will be screening a maximum of six days of live golf.
The Sun (2012)
They should get maximum points at home.
The Sun (2013)
Lottery luck is set at maximum as the moon shines on your prize chart.
The Sun (2009)
It therefore generally imposes a maximum amount that it will cover for accounts with a particular credit rating.
Charles A. D'Ambrosio & Stewart D. Hodges & Richard Brealey & Stewart Myers Principles of Corporate Finance (1991)
Salt is almost a quarter of our 6g daily maximum.
The Sun (2016)
The charges carry a maximum sentence of 14 years in jail.
The Sun (2011)
It contains more than a fifth of your daily maximum of 6g of salt.
The Sun (2012)
In other languages
maximum
British English: maximum /ˈmæksɪməm/ ADJECTIVE
You use maximum to describe an amount which is the largest that is possible, allowed, or required.
...a maximum average speed of 60 miles per hour.
American English: maximum
Arabic: أَقْصَى
Brazilian Portuguese: máximo
Chinese: 最大极限的
Croatian: maksimalan
Czech: maximální
Danish: maksimal
Dutch: maximaal
European Spanish: máximo
Finnish: maksimi-
French: maximum
German: maximal
Greek: μέγιστος
Italian: massimo
Japanese: 最大の
Korean: 최대의
Norwegian: maksimal
Polish: maksymalny
European Portuguese: máximo
Romanian: maxim
Russian: максимальный
Latin American Spanish: máximo
Swedish: maximal
Thai: สูงสุด
Turkish: en fazla
Ukrainian: максимальний
Vietnamese: tối đa
British English: maximum /ˈmæksɪməm/ NOUN
A maximum is the greatest possible amount, degree, etc.
Temperatures reached a maximum of 37 degrees on Friday.
American English: maximum
Arabic: الْـحَدُّ الْأَقْصَى
Brazilian Portuguese: máximo
Chinese: 最大限度
Croatian: maksimum
Czech: maximum
Danish: maksimum
Dutch: maximum
European Spanish: máximo
Finnish: maksimi
French: maximum
German: Maximum
Greek: μέγιστο
Italian: massimo
Japanese: 最大限
Korean: 최대
Norwegian: maksimum
Polish: maksimum
European Portuguese: máximo
Romanian: maximă
Russian: максимум
Latin American Spanish: máximo
Swedish: maximum
Thai: จำนวนสูงสุด
Turkish: üst sınır
Ukrainian: максимум
Vietnamese: lượng tối đa
Chinese translation of 'maximum'
maximum
(ˈmæksɪməm)
adj
(= highest, greatest)
[speed, height]最高的 (zuì gāo de)
[weight]最重的 (zuì zhòng de)
[sentence]最严(嚴)厉(厲)的 (zuì yánlì de)
(= great) 最大的 (zuì dà de)
n(c)
最大量 (zuì dà liàng)
a maximum of two years至多两(兩)年 (zhìduō liǎng nián)
six weeks maximum6星期的最高极(極)限 (liù xīngqī de zuì gāo jíxiàn)
(adjective)
Definition
of, being, or showing a maximum or maximums
The maximum height for a fence here is 2 metres.
Synonyms
greatest
highest
supreme
Many young men made the supreme sacrifice during that war.
paramount
The welfare of the children must be of paramount importance.
utmost
Security matters are treated with the utmost seriousness.
most
maximal
topmost
the topmost branches of a gigantic oak tree
Opposites
lowest
,
least
,
minimal
(noun)
Definition
the greatest amount recorded, allowed, or reached
The law provides for a maximum of two years in prison.
Synonyms
top
I came down alone from the top of the mountain.
most
peak
the snow-covered peaks of the Alps
ceiling
crest
He reached the crest of the hill.
utmost
I'm going to do my utmost to climb as fast and as far as I can.
upper limit
uttermost
Opposites
bottom
,
minimum
Additional synonyms
in the sense of crest
Definition
the top of a mountain, hill, or wave
He reached the crest of the hill.
Synonyms
top,
summit,
peak,
ridge,
highest point,
pinnacle,
apex,
head,
crown,
height
in the sense of paramount
Definition
of the greatest importance
The welfare of the children must be of paramount importance.
Synonyms
principal,
prime,
first,
chief,
main,
capital,
primary,
supreme,
outstanding,
superior,
dominant,
cardinal,
foremost,
eminent,
predominant,
pre-eminent
in the sense of peak
Definition
the pointed summit of a mountain
the snow-covered peaks of the Alps
Synonyms
point,
top,
tip,
summit,
brow,
crest,
pinnacle,
apex,
aiguille
Synonyms of 'maximum'
maximum
Explore 'maximum' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of supreme
Definition
greatest in degree
Many young men made the supreme sacrifice during that war.
Synonyms
ultimate,
highest,
greatest,
utmost,
final,
crowning,
extreme,
culminating
in the sense of topmost
Definition
at or nearest the top
the topmost branches of a gigantic oak tree
Synonyms
highest,
top,
supreme,
upper,
loftiest,
uppermost
in the sense of utmost
Definition
of the greatest possible degree or amount
Security matters are treated with the utmost seriousness.
Synonyms
greatest,
highest,
maximum,
supreme,
extreme,
paramount,
pre-eminent
in the sense of utmost
Definition
the greatest possible degree or amount
I'm going to do my utmost to climb as fast and as far as I can.