maximum
- 01 B1 Intermediate
n.the largest amount or highest level that is possible or allowed.
n.the greatest quantity or degree reached or permitted.
Simple“The maximum number of people allowed in the lift is eight.”
In context“The legal maximum for noise levels in residential areas is strictly enforced after ten o'clock at night.”
UsageOften used with 'of' followed by a plural noun.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.the largest value in a group of numbers or a graph.
n.the greatest value of a set, sample, or mathematical function.
Simple“The graph shows a maximum at the point where the temperature was highest.”
In context“To find the local maximum, the student had to calculate the first derivative of the function and solve for zero.”
UsageThe plural can be either 'maximums' or the more formal 'maxima'.
Synonymsglobal maximumlocal maximumAntonyms - 03 C1 Advanced
n.a type of prison for the most dangerous criminals.
n.a classification of prison facility designed for high-risk inmates requiring the highest level of control.
Simple“He was sentenced to twenty years in maximum for his crimes.”
In context“After the attempted escape, the prisoner was transferred from a medium-security facility to maximum.”
Teacher's tipIn this sense, 'maximum' is used as a shorthand noun for 'maximum security prison' in informal or journalistic contexts.
Synonymshigh security - 04 B1 Intermediate
adj.being the largest amount or highest level possible.
adj.denoting the greatest possible amount, degree, or intensity.
Simple“The car can reach a maximum speed of 120 miles per hour.”
In context“The project requires maximum effort from every team member if we are to meet the deadline by Friday.”
Usage maximum sentence · maximum file · maximum security
“Please note, the maximum file size is 5.7 MB .”
“During the maximum solar activity cycle that comes every 11 years, there can be 10 or more in a single day.”
Via French from Latin maximum.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.