maximum
noun
max·i·mum
ˈmak-s(ə-)məm
plural maxima
ˈmak-sə-mə
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
Cite this Entry
“Maximum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maximum. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.
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