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
The firm is required, per the terms of the agreement with the city, to spend a minimum of $5 million on improvements during the redevelopment period.
—
Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 June 2025
Compared to the original 15 wolves released in Idaho’s Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness in 1995, the Nez Perce Tribe reported a minimum of 192 wolves in the Central Idaho recovery area in the fall of 2000.
—Clark Corbin, Idaho Statesman, 12 June 2025
Bird Baths Bird baths should be emptied, scrubbed, and refilled once a week at a minimum.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 12 June 2025
Netflix, Hulu and similar platforms need a minimum of 3 to 10 Mbps to stream.
—Kara McGinley, USA Today, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for minimum
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Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 June 2025
Compared to the original 15 wolves released in Idaho’s Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness in 1995, the Nez Perce Tribe reported a minimum of 192 wolves in the Central Idaho recovery area in the fall of 2000.
—Clark Corbin, Idaho Statesman, 12 June 2025
Bird Baths Bird baths should be emptied, scrubbed, and refilled once a week at a minimum.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 12 June 2025
Netflix, Hulu and similar platforms need a minimum of 3 to 10 Mbps to stream.
—Kara McGinley, USA Today, 11 June 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 17 Jun. 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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