optimal
adjective
op·ti·mal
ˈäp-tə-məl 
: most desirable or satisfactory : optimum
the optimal use of class time
the optimal dosage of medication for a patient
conditions for optimal development
Examples of optimal in a Sentence
He keeps his engine tuned for optimal performance.
Under optimal conditions, these plants grow quite tall.
Recent Examples on the Web
Leo, who studied canon law, has spent much of his first eleven months in office assessing the Vatican internally, like a new chief executive getting to know a firm’s culture before initiating strategies for optimal performance.
—
Paul Elie, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2026
There are majorana leaf and Japanese plum leaf extracts to soothe, protect, and promote an optimal scalp environment, along with argan oil, the brand’s signature ingredient rich in nourishing vitamin E, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids.
—Cathy Nelson, InStyle, 3 Apr. 2026
Similarly, humidity levels were slightly below optimal for devices that remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
—Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 3 Apr. 2026
Without factoring in the externalities of a merit good, there will always be the appearance of a market failure (the market will be incapable of delivering an optimal result).
—Laura Payne, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for optimal
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Paul Elie, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2026
There are majorana leaf and Japanese plum leaf extracts to soothe, protect, and promote an optimal scalp environment, along with argan oil, the brand’s signature ingredient rich in nourishing vitamin E, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids.
—Cathy Nelson, InStyle, 3 Apr. 2026
Similarly, humidity levels were slightly below optimal for devices that remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
—Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 3 Apr. 2026
Without factoring in the externalities of a merit good, there will always be the appearance of a market failure (the market will be incapable of delivering an optimal result).
—Laura Payne, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for optimal
Cite this Entry
“Optimal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/optimal. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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Medical Definition
optimal
adjective
op·ti·mal
ˈäp-tə-məl
: most desirable or satisfactory : optimum
optimal concentrations of a drug
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