minimum
noun
min·i·mum
| \ ˈmi-nə-məm
\
\
plural minima\ ˈmi-nə-mə
\
or minimums
\
or minimums
Definition of minimum
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 2b) interval
3a
: the lowest degree or amount of variation (as of temperature) reached or recorded
b
: the lowest speed allowed on a highway
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Examples of minimum in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The specific targets of the probe were not named but are widely considered to include Apple, Amazon, Facebook, and Google—all of which are the targets of other antitrust probes, both in the US and abroad—at a minimum. — Kate Cox, Ars Technica, "States reportedly plan monopoly investigation of Google, Facebook, Amazon," 20 Aug. 2019 At minimum, a good gaming mouse should have a clickable scroll wheel, a button for adjusting sensitivity, and two under the right-hand side where your thumb rests. — Jess Grey, WIRED, "The Best Mouse for Every Kind of Gamer," 17 Aug. 2019 But, as the Washington Post points out, Biden also has a track record of making comments that, at a minimum, can be described as racially insensitive. — cleveland.com, "Joe Biden’s latest gaffe raises eyebrows: ‘Poor kids are just as bright’ as ‘white kids'," 9 Aug. 2019 Trump’s breathtaking weaponization of the Republican Party into the party of white nationalism should, at minimum, make the parameters of the Democratic primary campaign clear. — Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw, The New Republic, "The Destructive Politics of White Amnesia," 6 Aug. 2019 At a minimum, argues AHIP, the health insurers association, CMS should back off extrapolation for the 90 audits for 2011-13. — Kaiser Health News, oregonlive.com, "Medicare knows about $30 billion in overbilling but refunds prove elusive," 20 July 2019 At minimum, perpetrators include the US federal government and the governments of every state that ever permitted enslavement of African-Americans. — Rhoda E. Howard-hassmann, Quartz, "Why Japanese-Americans received reparations and African-Americans are still waiting," 19 July 2019 According to the outlet, all of the grandchildren are expected to inherit several million at a minimum. — Maria Pasquini, PEOPLE.com, "Elizabeth Hurley’s Son Damian, 17, Wins Inheritance Fight Against Grandfather: Report," 19 July 2019 At a minimum, insurers could ensure that anyone billing them has the proper licensing before a payment is made. — Marshall Allen, ProPublica, "What Can Be Done Right Now to Stop a Basic Source of Health Care Fraud," 19 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'minimum.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for minimum
minimum
noun
English Language Learners Definition of minimum
: the lowest number or amount that is possible or allowed
See the full definition for minimum in the English Language Learners Dictionary
minimum
noun
min·i·mum
| \ ˈmi-nə-məm
\
\
plural minimums
or minima\ -mə \
Kids Definition of minimum
(Entry 1 of 2)
: the lowest value : the least amount
I need a minimum of two hours.
minimum
adjectiveKids Definition of minimum (Entry 2 of 2)
: being the least or lowest possible
The minimum height for this ride is 42 inches.
minimum
noun
min·i·mum
| \ ˈmin-ə-məm
\
\
plural minima\ -ə-mə
\
or minimums
\
or minimums
Medical Definition of minimum
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: the least quantity assignable, admissible, or possible
2
: the lowest degree or amount of variation (as of temperature) reached or recorded
minimum
adjectiveMedical Definition of minimum (Entry 2 of 2)
: 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
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