optimal

adjective op·ti·mal \ ˈäp-tə-məl \

|Updated on: 9 Aug 2018

Examples: optimal in a Sentence

Definition of optimal

: most desirable or satisfactory : optimum

the optimal use of class time

the optimal dosage of medication for a patient

conditions for optimal development

—

optimality

play \ˌäp-tə-ˈma-lə-tē\ noun

—

optimally

play \ˈäp-tə-mə-lē\ adverb

See optimal defined for English-language learners

See optimal defined for kids

Examples of optimal in a Sentence

He keeps his engine tuned for optimal performance.
Under optimal conditions, these plants grow quite tall.

Recent Examples of optimal from the Web

Daily, with optimal picking times of 8 to 10 a.m. and 4 to 8 p.m.

— ann maloney, NOLA.com, "Where to pick blueberries on Louisiana, Mississippi farms," 14 May 2018
This matchup at the PK80 Invitational in Portland didn’t offer the high stakes of March hoops or an optimal tip-off time on the Feast Week calendar.

— chris johnson, SI.com, "Year-End Awards: The Best and Worst of the 2017–18 College Basketball Season," 10 Apr. 2018
Fruits and vegetables are also in abundance, because the balmy weather also actually helps naturally produce them at their optimal growing time, so select produce is fresher and often cheaper.

— spoon u, Teen Vogue, "23 Fruits and Vegetables That Are In-Season During the Spring," 8 Apr. 2018
Late winter, before the buds swell, is the optimal time for dormant pruning.

— the editors of organic life, Good Housekeeping, "How To Grow Your Own Kiwis In Your Backyard," 6 Feb. 2018
The city offers guidelines that will ensure an optimal experience before/during filming or recording sessions.

— pamela miller, ajc, "Hapeville declares it’s camera ready," 12 July 2018
But Narongsak said earlier that recent mild weather and falling water levels had created optimal conditions for an underwater evacuation.

— author: tassanee vejpongsa, kaweewit kaewjinda, Anchorage Daily News, "4 rescued from Thai cave in risky operation; 9 remain inside," 9 July 2018
But Narongsak said earlier that recent mild weather and falling water levels had created optimal conditions for an underwater evacuation.

— tassanee vejpongsa and kaweewit kaewjinda, Houston Chronicle, "4 rescued from Thai cave in risky operation; 9 remain inside," 9 July 2018
Oxygen levels in the cave dropped to as low as 15 percent, far below the optimal range of 21 percent that people experience at sea level.

— david grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Four More Thai Boys Rescued From Cave, Bringing Number Up to 8," 9 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'optimal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of optimal

optim(um) + ¹-al

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1890

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

OPTIMAL Defined for English Language Learners

optimal

adjective

Definition of optimal for English Language Learners

: best or most effective

Medical Dictionary

optimal

adjective op·ti·mal \ ˈäp-tə-məl \

medical Definition of optimal

: most desirable or satisfactory : optimum

optimal concentrations of a drug

—

optimality

play \ˌäp-tə-ˈmal-ət-ē\ noun, plural -ties

—

optimally

play \-mə-lē\ adverb

Learn More about optimal

Spanish Central: Translation of optimal Nglish: Translation of optimal for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of optimal for Arabic speakers

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optimal

Definition of optimal

optimality

optimally

Examples of optimal in a Sentence

Recent Examples of optimal from the Web

Origin and Etymology of optimal

OPTIMAL Defined for English Language Learners

optimal

Definition of optimal for English Language Learners

Medical Dictionary

optimal

medical Definition of optimal

optimality

optimally

Learn More about optimal

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