▸ adjective being or happening at the end of a process; final:
their ultimate aim was to force his resignation.
▪ being the best or most extreme example of its kind:
the ultimate accolade.
▪ basic or fundamental:
the ultimate constituents of anything that exists are atoms.
▪ Physics denoting the maximum possible strength or resistance beyond which an object breaks.
▸ noun
– ORIGIN mid 17th century : from late Latin ultimatus, past participle of ultimare ‘come to an end’.