1
: a general truth, fundamental principle, or rule of conduct
Mother's favorite maxim was "Don't count your chickens before they hatch."
2
: a proverbial saying
advised her daughter with the maxim "marry in haste, repent at leisure"
Synonyms
Examples of maxim in a Sentence
it's a common maxim that “a watched pot never boils,” but that's not literally true
Recent Examples on the Web
Investors trying to get in on the Nvidia hype now, for example, aren’t following the maxim to buy low and sell high.
—
Beth Greenfield, Fortune, 1 July 2024
This maxim might apply as well to the argument that human life begins at conception.
—Kathleen Parker, Washington Post, 28 June 2024
The trouble is that the same maxim, if applied in earlier eras, would have precluded some of the United States’ greatest foreign policy successes, such as the post–World War II transformation of Japan and Germany.
—Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 28 Feb. 2023
Reflecting Koprowski’s maxim that ‘having elasticity in a golf course keeps it fresh and fun,’ these variable features foster a dynamic experience.
—Mike Dojc, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for maxim 
Beth Greenfield, Fortune, 1 July 2024
This maxim might apply as well to the argument that human life begins at conception.
—Kathleen Parker, Washington Post, 28 June 2024
The trouble is that the same maxim, if applied in earlier eras, would have precluded some of the United States’ greatest foreign policy successes, such as the post–World War II transformation of Japan and Germany.
—Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 28 Feb. 2023
Reflecting Koprowski’s maxim that ‘having elasticity in a golf course keeps it fresh and fun,’ these variable features foster a dynamic experience.
—Mike Dojc, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for maxim
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'maxim.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near maxim
Cite this Entry
“Maxim.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maxim. Accessed 22 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
maxim
noun
max·im
ˌmak-səm 
1
: a general truth or rule of conduct
2
: a proverbial saying
Biographical Definition
Maxim 1 of 2
biographical name (1)
Max·im
ˈmak-səm
Sir Hiram Stevens 1840–1916 British (American-born) inventor
Maxim
2 of 2biographical name (2)
Hudson 1853–1927 brother of Hiram Maxim American inventor
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