Definition of minimal pair
: two linguistic units that differ in a single distinctive feature or constituent (such as voice in the initial consonants of bat and pat)
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This minimal pair is like a universal donor, looking right at home next to every style of sofa, from contemporary tuxedo to traditional Chesterfield.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'minimal pair.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of minimal pair
1942
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