Dictionary
Find
in
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Translations

Click to move up the list of words
maxim
Maxim gun
maxima
maximal
Maximalist
maximalist
maximin
maximize
maximum
maximum-minimum thermometer
maximum permissible dose
maximum-security
maxixe
maxwell
May
may (1)
may (2)
Click to move down the list of words
Print Preview
See pronunciation key
Search for "maximum" in all of MSN Encarta
E-mail this entry
Blog about this entry on MSN Spaces
Download the MSN Encarta Right-Click Dictionary

maximum

max·i·mum [ máksiməm ]


noun  (plural max·i·ma [ máksimə ] or max·i·mums)
Definition:
 
1. greatest possible amount: the largest amount, number, extent, or degree possible or allowed
The stadium seats a maximum of 60,000.

2. largest amount or highest level reached: the largest amount or value or highest level that something variable can reach or reaches during a period
Even at its maximum, the noise did not exceed legal levels.

3. largest number: the largest number in a mathematical set

4. greatest value of function: in mathematics, the greatest value that a continuous function can attain over a specific interval

5. time of greatest brightness of star: the interval during which a variable star is most luminous

6. greatest magnitude of star: the magnitude of a variable star at its greatest



adjective 
Definition:
 
greatest possible: of the greatest possible or permitted amount or value
visual effects with maximum impact
Maximum occupancy in this building is 235.



adverb 
Definition:
 
at maximum: at the greatest extent
The hall seats 400 maximum.

[Mid-16th century. Directly or via French< modern Latin, form of Latin maximus "greatest" < magnus "great"]
Advertisement

Also on Encarta
Englishtown: Learn English online
Our Partners
Also on MSN
Encarta Message Boards (© Rubberball/Jupiterimages)
MSN Shopping
Upgrade your Encarta experience
Encarta RSS Feeds
© 2008 Microsoft