Maximum Meaning

UK /ˈmæksɪməm/
US /ˈmæksəməm/
Word Definition
maximum meaning

Maximum Definition & Usage

adjective

The greatest possible amount or degree of something.

Examples

  • "This is the maximum weight the elevator can carry."
  • "The temperature reached its maximum at noon, just over 35°C."
  • "We can accommodate a maximum of 200 people in this hall."
  • "He offered the maximum amount of money allowed for the donation."
  • "The maximum speed limit on this road is 100 km/h."
noun

The highest or greatest amount or degree that something can reach.

Examples

  • "The maximum of the stock price was reached after the announcement."
  • "His performance hit its maximum in the final round of the competition."
  • "This year's maximum was higher than last year's average."
  • "The maximum for the event is set at 100 participants."
  • "At maximum, the hotel can accommodate 500 guests."

Cultural Context

The word 'maximum' has roots in Latin, where 'maximus' referred to the greatest or largest possible. It is used in a wide range of fields, from mathematics and science to everyday life, to describe the highest limits or thresholds. In modern culture, it is often associated with the idea of pushing limits or achieving peak performance.

The Race to the Maximum

Story

The Race to the Maximum

In the small town of Hillcrest, everyone knew that the annual Mountain Run was the ultimate test of endurance. For years, the event had been a point of pride, with local runners pushing their limits, trying to reach the maximum speed they could muster. This year, though, it was different. The race had a new sponsor, a tech company that promised a grand prize for the one who could break the maximum time record. It was set at 1 hour and 15 minutes, the fastest any human had ever completed the grueling course. Mia, a determined young runner, had trained all year. She had always dreamed of being the fastest, but she had never broken her personal maximum. This year, with the prize on the line, she was more focused than ever. On the day of the race, the air was crisp, and the runners lined up at the starting line. Mia felt the weight of the challenge but pushed it aside as the countdown began. She knew that this race was about more than just reaching her maximum speed—it was about proving that she could break the barriers she had set for herself. As the race unfolded, Mia felt her body reaching its physical maximum. Her legs burned with effort, and her breath came in sharp gasps. But the thought of the prize pushed her forward. She kept reminding herself: the maximum was within reach. With just a mile to go, Mia was ahead of the others, but she knew the toughest part was yet to come. The final stretch was the steepest, the kind of hill that always tested her mental limits. As she neared the top, her muscles screamed for rest, but she refused to stop. The finish line was in sight, and she was determined to reach the maximum of her potential. With a final burst of energy, Mia crossed the finish line, collapsing into the arms of the race organizers. She had done it. She had not only beaten the record, but had also broken her own personal maximum. It was a victory that transcended numbers—she had achieved something that no one, not even she, thought possible. The crowd cheered, and Mia knew that this moment, this maximum, was one she would never forget.

The Race to the Maximum