superlative of little entry 1
1
: lowest in importance or position
It's least on my list of worries.
2
a
: smallest in size or degree
The least noise would startle her.
b
: being a member of a kind distinguished by diminutive size
the least bittern
c
: smallest possible : slightest
believed that the least government was the best government—
Irving Stone
Irving Stone
: one that is least
Examples of least in a Sentence
Adverb
Who was the least at fault in the case?
He asked me to help him when I least expected it.
That was the least important of her reasons.
That was the least interesting book I have ever read.
Recent Examples on the Web
Allison Morrow, CNN, 5 Feb. 2025
While Padres general manager A.J. Preller will most definitely add to this corner of the roster in the coming weeks — Peralta, for instance, remains a free agent — non-roster invitees with at least some big-league time include Oscar Gonzalez and Forrest Wall.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025
Rae Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 28 Mar. 2023
This is one of the ideas that have long made electoral politics a graveyard for the American left: the hope of a post-political, revolutionary campaign built on the backs of the voters most sympathetic to their cause and least likely to vote.
—Osita Nwanevu, The New Republic, 19 Mar. 2020
Tom Schardin, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels has played 83 per cent of his passes long — defined as balls that travel at least 32m (35 yards) — in the Premier League this season and those passes have been pretty evenly balanced between left and right.
—Ahmed Walid, The Athletic, 7 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for least 
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Adjective
But so far, at least, Musk hasn’t reached the end of his leash.
—Allison Morrow, CNN, 5 Feb. 2025
While Padres general manager A.J. Preller will most definitely add to this corner of the roster in the coming weeks — Peralta, for instance, remains a free agent — non-roster invitees with at least some big-league time include Oscar Gonzalez and Forrest Wall.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025
Noun
The dish was created in 1926 at the Brown Hotel by chef Fred K. Schmidt after guests got bored with traditional ham and egg suppers (or so legend says, at leasts).
—Rae Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 28 Mar. 2023
This is one of the ideas that have long made electoral politics a graveyard for the American left: the hope of a post-political, revolutionary campaign built on the backs of the voters most sympathetic to their cause and least likely to vote.
—Osita Nwanevu, The New Republic, 19 Mar. 2020
Adverb
The Blaze has had at least one wrestler in the state individual tournament the last three years.
—Tom Schardin, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels has played 83 per cent of his passes long — defined as balls that travel at least 32m (35 yards) — in the Premier League this season and those passes have been pretty evenly balanced between left and right.
—Ahmed Walid, The Athletic, 7 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for least
Dictionary Entries Near least
Cite this Entry
“Least.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/least. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
least
1 of 3 adjective1
: lowest in importance or position
2
: smallest in size or degree
least
2 of 3 noun
: one that is least : something of the lowest possible value or importance
least
3 of 3 adverb
: in the smallest or lowest degree
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