nonessential
adjective
non·es·sen·tial
ˌnän-i-ˈsen(t)-shəl 
1
: not essential
2
: being a substance synthesized by the body in sufficient quantity to satisfy dietary needs
nonessential fatty acids
see also nonessential amino acid compare essential sense 2b
nonessential
noun
Examples of nonessential in a Sentence
All nonessential personnel had to be laid off.
Please avoid all nonessential uses of water.
Recent Examples on the Web
With a focus on the customer (or end user, if applicable), eliminating nonessential tasks and taking time out of a process can reduce costs without sacrificing quality.
—
Jim Deloach, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
Next, the city must act now to impose a moratorium on nonessential helicopter flights from these heliports.
—Eric Katzman, New York Daily News, 25 May 2025
On Wednesday, two sources confirmed Darcy’s reporting to Vulture, saying multiple WBD division leaders had now told their teams to halt any travel that’s not imperative, rein in overtime spending, and freeze nonessential expense-account spending.
—Josef Adalian, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2025
But other Democrats have argued that triggering a government shutdown might help Trump dismantle the federal government by giving him authority to determine which government employees are deemed essential and nonessential.
—arkansasonline.com, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nonessential
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.
Jim Deloach, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
Next, the city must act now to impose a moratorium on nonessential helicopter flights from these heliports.
—Eric Katzman, New York Daily News, 25 May 2025
On Wednesday, two sources confirmed Darcy’s reporting to Vulture, saying multiple WBD division leaders had now told their teams to halt any travel that’s not imperative, rein in overtime spending, and freeze nonessential expense-account spending.
—Josef Adalian, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2025
But other Democrats have argued that triggering a government shutdown might help Trump dismantle the federal government by giving him authority to determine which government employees are deemed essential and nonessential.
—arkansasonline.com, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nonessential
Cite this Entry
“Nonessential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonessential. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
nonessential
adjective
non·es·sen·tial
ˌnän-i-ˈsen-chəl
: not necessary or essential
nonessential
noun
Medical Definition
nonessential
adjective
non·es·sen·tial
-i-ˈsen-chəl
: being a substance synthesized by the body in sufficient quantity for normal health and growth
a nonessential fatty acid
compare essential
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share