1ul·ti·mate 
/ˈʌltəmət/ adjective
always used before a noun /ˈʌltəmət/ adjective 1 : happening or coming at the end of a process, series of events, etc.
▪ Their ultimate [=final] destination was Paris. ▪ What was the ultimate [=final, eventual] outcome/result? ▪ Their ultimate fate has not yet been decided. ▪ I never doubted their ultimate success. [=I never doubted that they would eventually succeed] ▪ The president has ultimate [=final] authority/control/responsibility over the decision. ▪ Our ultimate aim/goal/purpose is to increase production. 2 : greatest or most extreme — used to say that something or someone is the greatest or most extreme example of a particular type of thing or person ▪ He says that dying for your country is the ultimate act of patriotism. ▪ the ultimate expression of love ▪ the ultimate betrayal/challenge ▪ He was the ultimate hero. 3 — used to refer to the original or basic source or cause of something ▪ They traced the river back to its ultimate source. ▪ Lack of money is the ultimate cause of our problems. 4 : most distant in space or time
▪ the ultimate [=farthest] reaches of the universe
▪ Their ultimate [=final] destination was Paris. ▪ What was the ultimate [=final, eventual] outcome/result? ▪ Their ultimate fate has not yet been decided. ▪ I never doubted their ultimate success. [=I never doubted that they would eventually succeed] ▪ The president has ultimate [=final] authority/control/responsibility over the decision. ▪ Our ultimate aim/goal/purpose is to increase production.
▪ the ultimate [=farthest] reaches of the universe
