optimal

play

adjective op·ti·mal \ˈäp-tə-məl\

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

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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

And, in turn, a data profile would develop for each individual with the gradual accrual of information, giving the coaches the wherewithal to make sound, logical decisions that would keep the team in optimal condition.

— rainer sabin, AL.com, "Inside the technology giving Alabama a competitive edge," 2 July 2017
GPkit had already helped him and his MIT colleagues choose the optimal design for Jungle Hawk Owl (JHO), a lightweight drone built for the U.S. Air Force to provide long-term communications in responding to a disaster anywhere around the world.

— jeffrey mervis, Science | AAAS, "NASA’s new astronaut corps features an abundance of scientific talent," 29 June 2017
Google executives say Larry Page’s view on A.I. is shaped by his frustration about how many systems are sub-optimal—from systems that book trips to systems that price crops.

— maureen dowd, The Hive, "Elon Musk’s Billion-Dollar Crusade to Stop the A.I. Apocalypse," 19 June 2017
The students are instructed to design the homes for optimal use in their home locations, not Denver, hence the safe room in case of Alabama tornadoes.

— carol robinson, AL.com, "Shelby County man jailed in overnight stabbing," 16 June 2017
For homeowners or investors who need to get rid of properties quickly, the services can be optimal.

— caitlin mccabe, Philly.com, "If you could sell your home with just a few clicks, would you?," 15 June 2017
In both instances, it was directed by UCSD alum Sean Griffin, who may have had less room on the Ojai stage than would have been optimal.

— george varga, sandiegouniontribune.com, "'Afterword,' George Lewis' provocative opera, inspires lively debate at Ojai Music Festival," 11 June 2017
The kettle on one side heats the water to the optimal temperature, and the brewer on the other side makes the coffee and keeps it hot inside the insulated carafe.

— michael calore, WIRED, "Spoil Your Dad This Father’s Day With These 15 Great Gifts," 8 June 2017
GM ended last month with a 101-day supply of cars and trucks when automakers consider a 60-day supply to be optimal.

— tom krisher, star-telegram.com, "General Motors shareholders reject proposal to split stock in two," 6 June 2017

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.