1.
largest-class, maximum-scale, of the highest degree
Describes something that belongs to the very largest or most extreme category. Often used with の as a modifier to emphasize the superlative scale of something.
最大級の台風が接近している。
A typhoon of the largest scale is approaching.
最大級の賛辞を贈りたい。
I want to offer the highest praise.
この地震は観測史上最大級の揺れを記録した。
This earthquake recorded shaking of the largest magnitude ever observed.
A compound of 最大 (largest, maximum) and 級 (class, grade, level). The suffix 級 adds the meaning "of that class/rank," making the word function as a superlative intensifier.
USAGE:
Typically used as a modifier with の: 最大級の台風 (a typhoon of the largest class). Very common in news reports and formal descriptions. The pattern 〜級 is productive: 世界最大級 (of the world's largest class).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 最大級の台風: a typhoon of the largest scale
- 最大級の賛辞: the highest praise
- 最大級の警戒: the highest level of caution
- 世界最大級: one of the largest in the world
- 史上最大級: one of the largest in history
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 最大: largest, maximum — the absolute superlative, without the "class" nuance
- 大規模な: large-scale — describes the size of an event or operation
- 過去最大: the largest ever — specifically referring to historical records