minimum
noun
min·i·mum
ˈmi-nə-məm 
plural minima
ˈmi-nə-mə
or minimums
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
Winners of the Lucky for Life top prize of $1,000 a day for life and second prize of $25,000 a year for life can decide to collect the prize for a minimum of 20 years or take a lump sum cash payment.
—
Staff Reports, The Providence Journal, 8 Feb. 2026
At a minimum, Advantage suggested the deteriorating beams be replaced.
—Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Feb. 2026
Family-Friendly Offerings Riverside Ravel and its sister ships don’t have age minimums—but didn’t see any children on board.
—Janice Wald Henderson, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026
Only 15 new all-time record low temperature records were set, for either daily maximums or minimums, according to available preliminary NOAA data.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for minimum
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Staff Reports, The Providence Journal, 8 Feb. 2026
At a minimum, Advantage suggested the deteriorating beams be replaced.
—Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Feb. 2026
Family-Friendly Offerings Riverside Ravel and its sister ships don’t have age minimums—but didn’t see any children on board.
—Janice Wald Henderson, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026
Only 15 new all-time record low temperature records were set, for either daily maximums or minimums, according to available preliminary NOAA data.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for minimum
Cite this Entry
“Minimum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/minimum. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
minimum
noun
min·i·mum
ˈmin-ə-məm
plural minima
-ə-mə
or minimums
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
plural minima
-ə-mə
or minimums
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 country—E. A. Strecker
E. A. Streckerestablishing minimum standards for medical education—CIBA Symposia
CIBA SymposiaLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
