minimum

noun

min·​i·​mum ˈmi-nə-məm 

plural minima ˈmi-nə-mə  or minimums

1

: the least quantity assignable, admissible, or possible

Keep expenses to a bare minimum.

He was sentenced to a minimum of 10 years in prison.

2

: the least of a set of numbers

specifically : the smallest value assumed by a continuous (see continuous sense 2) function defined on a closed (see closed sense 3b) interval

3

a

: the lowest degree or amount of variation (as of temperature) reached or recorded

b

: the lowest speed allowed on a highway

minimum adjective

Examples of minimum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Prices start at $57 At minimum, an area rug’s job is to protect your floors from scratches, spills, and scuffs, but this particular style holds so much more importance in terms of adding decor, texture, and color to a space — just ask Joanna Gaines. —Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025

This will help keep airspace restrictions in Florida, near NASA's Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, as well as Vandenberg Space Force Station in California, to a minimum while air traffic delays stack up due to staffing shortages caused by the government shutdown. —Josh Dinner, Space.com, 7 Nov. 2025

While most teams carry a minimum of 15 forwards, the Gophers carried 14 for a fourth-straight season. —Brad Elliott Schlossman, Twin Cities, 7 Nov. 2025

Some reports indicated a likely minimum recovery time of one year. —Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin, neuter of minimus smallest; akin to Latin minor smaller — more at minor

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing minimum

• alternative minimum tax
• at a/the minimum
• minimum security prison
• minimum wage
• sub-minimum
• to a (bare) minimum

Kids Definition

minimum

noun

min·​i·​mum ˈmin-ə-məm 

plural minima -ə-mə  or minimums

1

: the least quantity possible or allowable

2

: the lowest degree or amount reached or recorded

minimum adjective

Medical Definition

minimum

1 of 2 noun

min·​i·​mum ˈmin-ə-məm 

plural minima -ə-mə  or minimums

1

: the least quantity assignable, admissible, or possible

2

: the lowest degree or amount of variation (as of temperature) reached or recorded

minimum

2 of 2 adjective

: of, relating to, or constituting a minimum

meet the minimum psychiatric needs of the country

—E. A. Strecker

establishing minimum standards for medical education

—CIBA Symposia