least

adjective \ ˈlēst \

Definition of least

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

superlative of little:1

See least defined for English-language learners

See least defined for kids

Recent Examples of least from the Web

But there are also 1.3 million households that have applied for federal disaster assistance money at least twice since 1998 -- many of them in the same areas hit hardest by Hurricane Harvey.

— christopher flavelle, Bloomberg.com, "Harvey Could Reshape How and Where Americans Build Homes," 30 Aug. 2017
But there are also 1.3 million households that have applied for federal disaster assistance money at least twice since 1998 -- many of them in the same areas hit hardest by Hurricane Harvey.

— christopher flavelle, chicagotribune.com, "Harvey could reshape how and where Americans build," 30 Aug. 2017
At least the Dolphins can ease into the stretch run, right?

— adam h. beasley, miamiherald, "Predicting the 2017 Dolphins season: A game-by-game breakdown," 30 Aug. 2017
On this day in 1901, the inventor patented the vacuum in the U.K.–or an early version of it, at least.

— kat eschner, Smithsonian, "The Vacuum Cleaner Was Harder to Invent Than You Might Think," 30 Aug. 2017
While our carceral institutions are, at least, officially opposed to subjecting prisoners to rape, the same cannot be said for torture.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "‘Sheriff Joe’ and Everyday American Authoritarianism," 30 Aug. 2017
At least that’s what the critics said at the time — and some still do.

— bill lyon, Philly.com, "Family and coaching were Massimino's ruling passions | Bill Lyon," 30 Aug. 2017
The Texas Rangers and general manager Jon Daniels are baseball’s newest villains, at least in the 250 miles that separates Arlington from Houston.

— jeff wilson, star-telegram, "How were the Rangers caught in relocation flap?," 29 Aug. 2017
Hopefully Winterfell’s days of being under threat (by anyone other than the Night King, at least) are over.

— katey rich, HWD, "What Actually Happened on Game of Thrones This Season," 28 Aug. 2017

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

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

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

See Words from the same year

least

adverb

Definition of least

:in the smallest or lowest degree

superlative of little:2

— 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

At least by my eyes, the most static Iassogna got was from Charlie Blackmon, who was rung up on an absolutely absurd call, a pitch at least a few inches off the plate.

— sam mellinger, kansascity, "MLB umpires should drop the self-righteousness, cut the insecurity, or get better," 23 Aug. 2017
Prosecutors characterized the six as the least culpable of 19 co-defendants arrested in early 2016 and charged in the case, including Bundy family members.

— Washington Post, "Jury refuses to convict 4 in Nevada ranch standoff retrial," 22 Aug. 2017
But this time he was joined at least symbolically by center Justin Britt, who stood next to Bennett with his hand on Bennett’s shoulders, and cornerback Jeremy Lane standing in front of Bennett with his back to the field.

— bob condotta, The Seattle Times, "Seahawk Michael Bennett sits during anthem with center Justin Britt standing next to him, hand on shoulder," 18 Aug. 2017
But even as Mr. Sessions pointed to Miami-Dade as an example of cooperation, Mr. Giménez’s request that the county be reimbursed for the cost of detaining people in local jails at the federal government’s behest was not addressed, at least publicly.

— rebecca r. ruiz, New York Times, "Sessions Lauds Miami and Rebukes Chicago in Escalating Fight With Sanctuary Cities," 16 Aug. 2017
The exchange said there could be an additional charge averaging 12.4 percent on silver plans — the second-least-expensive type of policy among the exchange’s four tiers — if the administration of Trump decides not to continue funding them.

— emily bazar, Kaiser Health News, "Covered California Expects 12.5% Average Rate Rise In 2018," 1 Aug. 2017
And doctors often believe at least as strongly as their patients do in the benefits of screening tests.

— jane e. brody, idahostatesman, "As we age, is that cancer screening needed?," 23 July 2017
For example: Witcher 3 GOTY Edition, Dishonored 2, Hitman, Dark Souls III, Doom, GTA V, Rise of the Tomb Raider, and Fallout 4 are rocking discounts of at least 50 percent.

— brad chacos, PCWorld, "Steam Summer Sale 2017 encore: The best PC game deals you don't want to miss," 30 June 2017
Diabetes risk goes up with age, so the American Diabetes Association recommends getting screened at least every three years starting at age 45.

— barbara brody, Woman's Day, "7 Signs You May Have Type 2 Diabetes," 29 June 2017

Origin and Etymology of least

see ¹least

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

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

:smallest in size or degree

The least noise startles her.

superlative of {h,1}little

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

:in or to the smallest degree

You arrived when I least expected you.

superlative of {h,2}little

Medical Dictionary

least

medical Definition of least

superlative of little

Learn More about least

See words that rhyme with least Spanish Central: Translation of least Nglish: Translation of least for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of least for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up least? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

least

Definition of least

Explore Merriam-Webster

Recent Examples of least from the Web

Origin and Etymology of least

least

Definition of least

Recent Examples of least from the Web

Origin and Etymology of least

least

Definition of least

Examples of least in a Sentence

Recent Examples of least from the Web

Origin and Etymology of least

Phrases Related to LEAST

Related Phrases

LEAST Defined for English Language Learners

least

Definition of least for English Language Learners

least

Definition of least for English Language Learners

LEAST Defined for Kids

least

Definition of least for Students

least

Definition of least for Students

least

Definition of least for Students

Medical Dictionary

least

medical Definition of least

Learn More about least

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

The History of the Word 'Terrorism'

Trending: McCain: Half-Baked, 'Spurious' Nationalism

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Forms of Government Quiz

Words of the Year: 1066