optimize

verb op·ti·mize \ ˈäp-tə-ˌmīz \

Updated on: 25 Apr 2018

Definition of optimize

optimized; optimizing

transitive verb

: to make as perfect, effective, or functional as possible

optimize energy use

optimize your computer for speed and memory
—Charles Brannon

—

optimizer

play \ˈäp-tə-ˌmī-zər\ noun

See optimize defined for English-language learners

Examples of optimize in a Sentence

The new system will optimize the efficiency with which water is used.

Recent Examples of optimize from the Web

Carb back-loading proponents believe that shifting the bulk of your carb intake, as well as your workout, to the evening optimizes hormones, and prevents carbs from being shuttled into fat cells.

— Health.com, "Carb Back-Loading Might Be the Next Big Weight Loss Trend—But Should You Try It?," 19 Apr. 2018
Like-minded members replied back with hoots of laughter, racist and homophobic slurs, and offered design tweaks to make the offer look more official, such as applying the Starbucks corporate font or optimizing the coupon for display on mobile.

— NBC News, "Trolls spread hateful fake Starbucks coupon," 19 Apr. 2018
However, the telescope is optimized to find planets orbiting M-dwarf stars, also called red dwarfs.

— jay bennett, Popular Mechanics, "NASA's Next Great Planet Hunter Has Arrived," 10 Apr. 2018
But Facebook created a medium that is optimized for fakeness, not as an algorithmic quirk but due to the core conception of the platform.

— matthew yglesias, Vox, "The case against Facebook," 9 Apr. 2018
Sea-Tac Airport, like many other fast-growing airports around the country, is working with the Transportation Security Administration to upgrade and optimize its current baggage handling system to make the process faster, smoother and more reliable.

— harriet baskas, USA TODAY, "The trip your luggage takes without you," 4 Apr. 2018
According to findings from independent Norwegian research group SINTEF, the app has been sharing the profile data with Apptimize and Localytics, platforms hired by Grindr to help optimize the app.

— aaron randle, kansascity, "Popular gay dating app was sharing its users' HIV status. Now it's vowing to change | The Kansas City Star," 3 Apr. 2018
The $24 million, 46,000-square-foot facility is to feature cutting-edge research, optimizing athletic performance, while exploring the relationships between exercise, fitness and overall health.

— guy boulton, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Marquette University to build $18.5 million facility to expand physician assistant program," 22 Mar. 2018
Stejskal and his colleagues at the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research in Berlin have been working on over a dozen southern whites to optimize a method to harvest the eggs.

— alessandra potenza, The Verge, "Inside the high-tech plot to save the northern white rhino from extinction," 6 Apr. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of optimize

earlier, "to make the best or most of," from optim(um) or optim(ism) + -ize

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1941

in the meaning defined above

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OPTIMIZE Defined for English Language Learners

optimize

verb

Definition of optimize for English Language Learners

: to make (something) as good or as effective as possible

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optimize

Definition of optimize

optimizer

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