largest or greatest possible in amount, size, degree, or level
The maximum speed limit on this road is 60 kilometers per hour.
Fill the tank only to the maximum level marked.
✦ Mid-17th century: from Latin maximum, neuter of maximus ‘greatest’.
the greatest amount, level, or number that is possible or allowed
Yesterday the temperature reached a maximum of 35 degrees Celsius.
The machine stops automatically when it hits its safety maximum.
✦ Same origin as the adjective: Latin maximum from maximus ‘greatest’.
used after a number or amount to mean ‘at most’
You can stay here for an hour maximum.
We will need thirty minutes maximum to finish the work.
✦ Adverbial use developed from the adjective and noun senses in the early 20th century.
