minimum

noun

min·​i·​mum ˈmi-nə-məm 

plural minima ˈmi-nə-mə  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 new minimum for hourly workers will be $19 an hour, up from $16.55 an hour. —Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2024

These people should be footing that bill, at a minimum. —Ryley Ober, USA TODAY, 19 Apr. 2024

The minimum amount for both deposits and withdrawals is $20. —Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2024

The Suite 1986 Tour Bus Experience is a two-night minimum and starts at $10,000 (an additional resort room that sleeps four is included in the package). —Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2024

After completing the 10-day academy, volunteers are asked to commit a minimum of one six-hour patrol shift each week and attend a one-hour monthly meeting. —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2024

But repair advocates see these moves as the bare minimum, not a revolutionary flip. —Amanda Hoover, WIRED, 11 Apr. 2024

At a minimum, a veto would put House Democrats in an awkward situation, forcing them to weigh whether to reverse their previous support for the bill and side with Kelly. —Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2024

If convicted, Calvert faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, according to the DOJ. —Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2024

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

Phrases Containing minimum

• alternative minimum tax
• at a/the minimum
• minimum security prison
• minimum wage
• sub-minimum
• to a (bare) minimum

Kids Definition

minimum

noun

min·​i·​mum ˈmin-ə-məm 

plural minima -ə-mə  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

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

establishing minimum standards for medical education

—CIBA Symposia