minimum
noun
min·i·mum
ˈmi-nə-məm 
plural minima
ˈmi-nə-mə
or minimums
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
To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
—
Ryley Amond, CNBC, 31 Jan. 2025
Inspectors measured two sanitizer solutions below the minimum amount considered effective for sanitizing.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 31 Jan. 2025
For example, because most American cars are partially made in Mexico and Canada, the tariffs would add a minimum of thousands of dollars to the cost of cars, according to experts.
—David Goldman, CNN, 31 Jan. 2025
Under their three-year agreement, Disney+ will also made a big push into local movies as it’s signed on to buy or pre-buy and finance a minimum of 70 films over this period, ensuring a diversity of genres and budgets.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 29 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for minimum 
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Ryley Amond, CNBC, 31 Jan. 2025
Inspectors measured two sanitizer solutions below the minimum amount considered effective for sanitizing.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 31 Jan. 2025
For example, because most American cars are partially made in Mexico and Canada, the tariffs would add a minimum of thousands of dollars to the cost of cars, according to experts.
—David Goldman, CNN, 31 Jan. 2025
Under their three-year agreement, Disney+ will also made a big push into local movies as it’s signed on to buy or pre-buy and finance a minimum of 70 films over this period, ensuring a diversity of genres and budgets.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 29 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for minimum
Dictionary Entries Near minimum
Cite this Entry
“Minimum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/minimum. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
minimum
noun
min·i·mum
ˈmin-ə-məm
plural minima
-ə-mə
or minimums
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
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
E. A. Streckerestablishing minimum standards for medical education—CIBA Symposia
CIBA SymposiaLove words? Need even more definitions?
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