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
Keep clutter to a minimum, especially in a small bedroom, by incorporating stealthy storage.
—
Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 10 Mar. 2025
But with leadership looking to keep health add-ons to a minimum, the effort appears to have missed the boat this year.
—Peter Sullivan, Axios, 10 Mar. 2025
According to Casanova, the best hair color to blend gray hair is hair that hasn’t been dyed before (or at bare minimum, hair that has just been highlighted.
—Jeanne Ballion, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2025
Jameson is matured for a minimum of three years, as is required by law, in a combination of ex-bourbon and sherry casks, which is the key to that whiskey’s flavor.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for minimum
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Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 10 Mar. 2025
But with leadership looking to keep health add-ons to a minimum, the effort appears to have missed the boat this year.
—Peter Sullivan, Axios, 10 Mar. 2025
According to Casanova, the best hair color to blend gray hair is hair that hasn’t been dyed before (or at bare minimum, hair that has just been highlighted.
—Jeanne Ballion, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2025
Jameson is matured for a minimum of three years, as is required by law, in a combination of ex-bourbon and sherry casks, which is the key to that whiskey’s flavor.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for minimum
Cite this Entry
“Minimum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/minimum. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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?
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