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Synonyms

magnum

American  
[mag-nuhm] / ˈmæg nəm /

noun

  1. a large wine bottle having a capacity of two ordinary bottles or 1.5 liters (1.6 quarts).

  2. a magnum cartridge or firearm.

adjective

  1. (of a cartridge) equipped with a larger charge than other cartridges of the same size.

  2. (of a firearm) using such a cartridge.

  3. Informal. unusually great in power or size.

    a magnum spotlight; a magnum dosage.
magnum British  
/ ˈmæɡnəm /

noun

  1. a wine bottle holding the equivalent of two normal bottles (approximately 52 fluid ounces)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of magnum

1780–90; < Latin, neuter of magnus large; in reference to firearms, originally used as a trademark by the Smith and Wesson Co.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

After inspecting a gifted magnum of Chinese wine, he stressed that the country "knew how to produce" -- another worry for French producers.

From Barron's • Feb. 9, 2026

Indeed, you don’t need to have a party to enjoy a magnum.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 22, 2025

I sank into Randy Carter’s comfy couch, excited to see the Hollywood veteran’s magnum opus.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 14, 2025

Consumers’ Research, the Supreme Court reversed an opinion that Oldham presented as something of a magnum opus.

From Slate • Jul. 10, 2025

An arch has the school’s motto painted on it: Nil magnum nisi bonum.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.