minimum

noun

min·​i·​mum ˈmi-nə-məm How to pronounce minimum (audio)
plural minima ˈmi-nə-mə How to pronounce minimum (audio) 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
No trimming is the minimum suggested by many horticulturists. Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 July 2025 But surely Rembrandt shared with Spinoza at a minimum the sense that there’s nobody here to straighten things out but us. Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 19 July 2025 The reality is that a postseason team must win — at minimum — the majority of its games against losing teams. Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 July 2025 At minimum, a scooter should have a rear brake for safety purposes. Bestreviews, Mercury News, 17 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for minimum

Word History

Etymology

Latin, neuter of minimus smallest; akin to Latin minor smaller — more at minor

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of minimum was in 1646

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Minimum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/minimum. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

minimum

noun
min·​i·​mum ˈmin-ə-məm How to pronounce minimum (audio)
plural minima -ə-mə How to pronounce minimum (audio) 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 How to pronounce minimum (audio)
plural minima -ə-mə How to pronounce minimum (audio) 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 countryE. A. Strecker
establishing minimum standards for medical educationCIBA Symposia

More from Merriam-Webster on minimum

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