minimum

noun

min·​i·​mum ˈmi-nə-məm How to pronounce minimum (audio)
plural minima ˈmi-nə-mə How to pronounce minimum (audio) or minimums
1
: the least quantity assignable, admissible, or possible
Keep expenses to a bare minimum.
He was sentenced to a minimum of 10 years in prison.
2
: the least of a set of numbers
specifically : the smallest value assumed by a continuous (see continuous sense 2) function defined on a closed (see closed sense 3b) interval
3
a
: the lowest degree or amount of variation (as of temperature) reached or recorded
b
: the lowest speed allowed on a highway
minimum adjective

Examples of minimum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The new licensing deal, which runs for a minimum of 10 years, comes after the title’s previous operator, the Arena Group, cut most of its editorial staff. Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2024 Accumulate 1,000 hours of acceptable appraisal experience over a minimum of 6 months. Pat Kapowich, The Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2024 At a minimum, this means an extra sprinkle of salt and pepper, besides what’s in your dressing, says Shariat. Audrey Bruno, SELF, 15 Mar. 2024 Raising the corporate tax rate to 28 percent and setting the minimum at 21 percent would be steps in that direction. Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2024 Chill the cake for a minimum of 8 hours, and up to 2 days before slicing and serving. Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 14 Mar. 2024 If tap water is used, it must be boiled for a minimum of one minute —or three minutes at higher elevations— before it is cooled and used, officials say. CBS News, 13 Mar. 2024 In the past decade or so, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and other Democrats have proposed a variety of methods to tax the ultra-wealthy, and the proposal for a statutory minimum is the latest stab at it. John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2024 To qualify for consideration, applicants must be members of the 100 Percenters community and have a minimum of two years of professional experience. Thania Garcia, Variety, 12 Mar. 2024

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

Word History

Etymology

Latin, neuter of minimus smallest; akin to Latin minor smaller — more at minor

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of minimum was in 1646

Dictionary Entries Near minimum

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

minimum

noun
min·​i·​mum ˈmin-ə-məm How to pronounce minimum (audio)
plural minima -ə-mə How to pronounce minimum (audio) or minimums
1
: the least quantity possible or allowable
2
: the lowest degree or amount reached or recorded
minimum adjective

Medical Definition

minimum

1 of 2 noun
min·​i·​mum ˈmin-ə-məm How to pronounce minimum (audio)
plural minima -ə-mə How to pronounce minimum (audio) or minimums
1
: the least quantity assignable, admissible, or possible
2
: the lowest degree or amount of variation (as of temperature) reached or recorded

minimum

2 of 2 adjective
: of, relating to, or constituting a minimum
meet the minimum psychiatric needs of the countryE. A. Strecker
establishing minimum standards for medical educationCIBA Symposia
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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