The maximum lifetime for a Docker container refers to the duration a container should be allowed to run before it is considered outdated, stale, or insecure. There is not a fixed, universally applicable maximum lifetime for a Docker container, as it varies depending on the specific use case, application requirements, and security needs. As a best practice, it is essential to define a reasonable maximum lifetime for containers to ensure that you consistently deploy the most recent, patched, and secure versions of both your custom base images and third-party images.