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

Prestyn Krejczyk and Isaac Okewole each tallied five kills and Christien Scott-Nwosu added four blocks for Andrew (19-9), which has played 26 matches that have gone the two-game minimum. —Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2026

The market has also relied on commercial inventories of crude oil and refined products to ease the impact of the supply disruption but those stocks will eventually draw down to working minimums, said Exxon Mobil CEO Darren Woods in a Friday interview with CNBC. —Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 6 May 2026

Writers won meaningful protections on artificial intelligence, strengthened residuals and raised minimums that reflect the economic realities of a business that has spent the better part of a decade restructuring itself at the writers’ expense. —George Heller, HollywoodReporter, 6 May 2026

What is the minimum you're required to withdraw on a $250,000 retirement account? —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 6 May 2026

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