minimal

adjective

min·​i·​mal ˈmi-nə-məl How to pronounce minimal (audio)
1
: relating to or being a minimum: such as
a
: the least possible
a victory won with minimal loss of life
b
: barely adequate
a minimal standard of living
c
: very small or slight
a minimal interest in art
2
often capitalized : of, relating to, or being minimal art or minimalism
minimally adverb

Examples of minimal in a Sentence

The storm caused minimal damage. areas at minimal risk for flooding
Recent Examples on the Web Relatively efficient loudspeakers of will sing like never before in a system whose design aesthetic is as beautifully minimal as its performance is overwhelmingly impressive. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 20 Mar. 2024 But the album’s streaming presence should be fairly minimal, even with an extensive 18-track runtime. Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 20 Mar. 2024 If Congress resolves a shutdown before Monday morning, the effects might be minimal, as most federal workers would be off for the weekend anyway. Jacob Bogage, Washington Post, 20 Mar. 2024 In the short term, analysts expect minimal impacts for domestic manufacturers due to the new tariff rules. Dylan Sloan, Fortune, 18 Mar. 2024 Incorporate lots of whole foods into your diet—food that’s as close to its natural state as possible, with minimal (if any) processing. Hannah Coates, Glamour, 13 Mar. 2024 Studies have showed that people are easily able to administer the life-saving drug in its nasal spray form without the need for any medical expertise and minimal training. Jen Christensen, CNN, 13 Mar. 2024 The staging was dark and dramatic with minimal lighting. Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 11 Mar. 2024 But Take Note Designed with budget-friendly materials, our testers observed that dirt can accumulate on the natural wood surface, giving it a worn appearance despite minimal use. Samantha McIntyre, Parents, 9 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'minimal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1666, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of minimal was in 1666

Dictionary Entries Near minimal

Cite this Entry

“Minimal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/minimal. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

minimal

adjective
min·​i·​mal ˈmin-ə-məl How to pronounce minimal (audio)
: relating to or being a minimum : least
minimally adverb

Medical Definition

minimal

adjective
min·​i·​mal ˈmin-ə-məl How to pronounce minimal (audio)
: relating to or being a minimum : constituting the least possible with respect to size, number, degree, or certain stated conditions
tuberosity fractures heal with minimal … treatmentJ. S. Keene et al.
residents receive a minimal level of personal careA. S. Oser
side effects are minimal

More from Merriam-Webster on minimal

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