least

adjective \ ˈlēst \

|Updated on: 22 Jul 2018

Examples: least in a Sentence

Definition of least

superlative of ¹little

1 : lowest in importance or position

the least of my 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

See least defined for English-language learners

See least defined for kids

Recent Examples of least from the Web

So, the new find pegs blazars as accelerators of at least some of the fastest-moving cosmic rays as well.

— mike wall, NBC News, "High-energy 'ghost particle' traced to distant galaxy in astronomy breakthrough," 12 July 2018
Several of the Mesa neighbors are stalwart in their belief that at least some of their issues must reach back to living next to the asphalt plant.

— lily altavena, azcentral, "Controversy in the air as Mesa homeowners decry neighboring asphalt plant’s odors," 11 July 2018
But family members have seen at least some of the boys from behind a glass barrier.

— kaweewit kaewjinda and stephen wright, Houston Chronicle, "'Everyone is safe' after daring rescue of 13 in Thai cave," 11 July 2018
Family members have seen at least some of the boys from behind a glass isolation barrier, and Jesada said doctors may let the boys walk around their beds Tuesday.

— kaweewit kaewjinda, Fox News, "3rd mission underway at Thai cave, aims to rescue all left," 10 July 2018
Family members have seen at least some of the boys from behind a glass isolation barrier.

— kaweewit kaewjinda and stephen wright, The Christian Science Monitor, "After 18 days, entire Thai soccer team rescued from cave," 10 July 2018
But family members have seen at least some of the boys from behind a glass barrier.

— kaweewit kaewjinda, The Seattle Times, "‘Everyone is safe’ after daring rescue of 13 in Thai cave," 10 July 2018
At the very least, Meghan and Harry should snag the parents-of-three an extra piece of cake or two.

— kayla keegan, Good Housekeeping, "Kate Middleton Cracked a Hilarious Parenting Joke at Prince Louis's Christening," 9 July 2018
For at least some of that period Ramos worked a night shift.

— ian duncan, baltimoresun.com, "Capital Gazette shooting suspect's anger flared, and fell silent. Then, police say, it exploded," 8 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'least.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of least

Middle English leest, from Old English lǣst, superlative of lǣssa less

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

least

noun

Definition of least

: one that is least

— at least

1 : at the minimum

at least once a week

2 : in any case

at least you have a choice

See least defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of least from the Web

Women nominated for Grammy Awards, for instance, were most likely to be recognized for best new artist or song of the year and least likely to be up for producer of the year.

— august brown, latimes.com, "More than 90% of recent Grammy nominees are men, USC study finds," 25 Jan. 2018
As of now, the Power 5 league least likely to be represented in the playoff is the Pac-12, whose teams have steadily beaten each other; only one of its teams is ranked in The A.P.’s top 15.

— marc tracy, New York Times, "Could the College Football Playoff Shut Out 2 Power Conferences?," 30 Oct. 2017
A pre-emptive U.S. military blow can’t be ruled out, but such a strike carries great risk and is among his least likely options.

— robert burns, The Seattle Times, "Pre-emptive US strike on North Korea could be ‘catastrophic’," 6 July 2017
That propels her toward Rex, the bomb-sniffer least likely to be voted Mr. Canine Congeniality.

— special to the washington post, The Denver Post, "“Megan Leavey” is a canine-human love story," 9 June 2017

Origin and Etymology of least

see ¹least

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

least

adverb

Definition of least

superlative of ²little

: in the smallest or lowest degree

— least of all

: especially not

no one, least of all the children, paid attention

See least defined for English-language learners

Examples of least in a Sentence

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 of least from the Web

But in their 86-80 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, the Magic at least produced enough bright spots to feel optimistic.

— josh robbins, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Five takeaways from the Magic’s summer league opener," 7 July 2018
But six months in, Arpaio's election bid is shaping up to be one of the strangest campaigns around, at least by traditional standards.

— yvonne wingett sanchez, azcentral, "At 86, Joe Arpaio's Senate run worries GOP voters. His response: Age doesn’t mean anything," 6 July 2018
And the policy's goal of acting as a deterrent doesn't appear to be working, at least not at the moment.

— merdie nzanga, USA TODAY, "USA TODAY's Rick Jervis talks immigration, from 'zero tolerance' policy to asylum," 3 July 2018
But from 2006 to 2016, 67% of trees had at least started growing leaves, the team reports today in Methods in Ecology and Evolution.

— katie langin, Science | AAAS, "36 years of bike race footage reveals how Belgium’s climate is changing," 3 July 2018
And Pruitt could serve for up to 210 days without Senate confirmation — long enough to fire Mueller and all his staff, or at least seriously derail their work.

— jonathan chait, Daily Intelligencer, "Why Hasn’t Trump Fired Scott Pruitt? Because Pruitt Can Fire Robert Mueller.," 3 July 2018
The Virgils acknowledged before the recent council meeting that at least the referral to the zoning commission was forward progress.

— graydon megan, chicagotribune.com, "Elmhurst hoop house rules may not come until September," 3 July 2018
The film capitalized on easy stereotypes about life on the border but at least made sure to portray America’s complicity and uselessness.

— david sims, The Atlantic, "Sicario: Day of the Soldado," 2 July 2018
Unlike the Pömmelte enclosure, there is currently no evidence that human sacrifice took place at Stonehenge, at least by its original builders, though there is one male skeleton that may show signs of ritual death.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "Germany’s “Stonehenge” Reveals Evidence of Human Sacrifice," 30 June 2018

Origin and Etymology of least

see ¹least

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

LEAST Defined for English Language Learners

least

adjective

Definition of least for English Language Learners

: smallest in amount or degree

least

adverb

Definition of least for English Language Learners

: in or to the smallest degree

LEAST Defined for Kids

least

adjective \ ˈlēst \

Definition of least for Students

superlative of little

: smallest in size or degree

The least noise startles her.

least

noun

Definition of least for Students

: the smallest or lowest amount or degree

I don't mind in the least.

— at least

1 : not less or fewer than

Read at least 20 pages.

2 : in any case

At least you have a choice.

least

adverb

Definition of least for Students

superlative of little

: in or to the smallest degree

You arrived when I least expected you.

Medical Dictionary

least

medical Definition of least

superlative of little

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least

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Origin and Etymology of least

least

Definition of least

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Origin and Etymology of least

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LEAST Defined for English Language Learners

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Definition of least for English Language Learners

least

Definition of least for English Language Learners

LEAST Defined for Kids

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Definition of least for Students

least

Definition of least for Students

least

Definition of least for Students

Medical Dictionary

least

medical Definition of least

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