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
The ebbs and flows of results will occur for any team, but the best coaches are those who keep any short-term slumps to a minimum.
—
Mark Carey, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
At the absolute minimum, Prince Andrew and others in Epstein’s orbit showed a pathological incuriosity about the young girls who surrounded him—and that is stretching good faith to its very limit.
—Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 25 Oct. 2025
Having initially faced 20 years in jail, the additional indictments raised his possible jail term to 45 years, with a mandatory minimum of five years in federal prison.
—Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
He in the only quarterback since 1950 (with a minimum of 10 career starts) who has turned double-digit deficits into more wins than losses.
—Sam McDowell 24, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for minimum
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Mark Carey, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
At the absolute minimum, Prince Andrew and others in Epstein’s orbit showed a pathological incuriosity about the young girls who surrounded him—and that is stretching good faith to its very limit.
—Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 25 Oct. 2025
Having initially faced 20 years in jail, the additional indictments raised his possible jail term to 45 years, with a mandatory minimum of five years in federal prison.
—Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
He in the only quarterback since 1950 (with a minimum of 10 career starts) who has turned double-digit deficits into more wins than losses.
—Sam McDowell 24, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for minimum
Cite this Entry
“Minimum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/minimum. Accessed 29 Oct. 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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