nonessential
adjective
non·es·sen·tial
ˌnän-i-ˈsen(t)-shəl 
1
: not essential
2
: being a substance synthesized by the body in sufficient quantity to satisfy dietary needs
nonessential fatty acids
see also nonessential amino acid compare essential sense 2b
nonessential
noun
Synonyms
Examples of nonessential in a Sentence
All nonessential personnel had to be laid off.
Please avoid all nonessential uses of water.
Recent Examples on the Web
President Joe Biden approved an operation over the weekend to beef up security at the U.S. Embassy in Haiti and evacuate nonessential personnel.
—
Gabe Gutierrez, NBC News, 12 Mar. 2024
On Sunday, the U.S. military carried out an operation to add more security forces to the American Embassy and airlift nonessential personnel out of the country, U.S. Southern Command said in a statement.
—Andre Paultre, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2024
At a time when people are rejecting nonessential spending, Lego is banking on staying relevant with its diverse audience through innovative and sustainable initiatives.
—Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 12 Mar. 2024
That’s already eating into profits for companies that sell essential and nonessential goods and services alike.
—Brian Cheung, NBC News, 21 Feb. 2024
Government offices: All nonessential federal and state government offices typically close on Presidents Day.
—Laura Daniella Sepulveda, The Arizona Republic, 1 Feb. 2024
Towson University will open at 10 a.m., and liberal leave is in effect for nonessential Baltimore City employees.
—Dan Belson, Baltimore Sun, 10 Jan. 2024
Other staff went to nonessential meetings or kept their laptop screens awake when not actively working—all in an effort to appear to be productive.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2024
Advertisement Many clinics considered spaying and neutering animals nonessential during the height of the pandemic and cut back on performing the procedures.
—Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 3 Dec. 2023
Gabe Gutierrez, NBC News, 12 Mar. 2024
On Sunday, the U.S. military carried out an operation to add more security forces to the American Embassy and airlift nonessential personnel out of the country, U.S. Southern Command said in a statement.
—Andre Paultre, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2024
At a time when people are rejecting nonessential spending, Lego is banking on staying relevant with its diverse audience through innovative and sustainable initiatives.
—Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 12 Mar. 2024
That’s already eating into profits for companies that sell essential and nonessential goods and services alike.
—Brian Cheung, NBC News, 21 Feb. 2024
Government offices: All nonessential federal and state government offices typically close on Presidents Day.
—Laura Daniella Sepulveda, The Arizona Republic, 1 Feb. 2024
Towson University will open at 10 a.m., and liberal leave is in effect for nonessential Baltimore City employees.
—Dan Belson, Baltimore Sun, 10 Jan. 2024
Other staff went to nonessential meetings or kept their laptop screens awake when not actively working—all in an effort to appear to be productive.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2024
Advertisement Many clinics considered spaying and neutering animals nonessential during the height of the pandemic and cut back on performing the procedures.
—Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 3 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nonessential.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near nonessential
Cite this Entry
“Nonessential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonessential. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
nonessential
adjective
non·es·sen·tial
ˌnän-i-ˈsen-chəl
: not necessary or essential
nonessential
noun
Medical Definition
nonessential
adjective
non·es·sen·tial
-i-ˈsen-chəl
: being a substance synthesized by the body in sufficient quantity for normal health and growth
a nonessential fatty acid
compare essential
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