optimal
adjective
op·ti·mal
| \ ˈäp-tə-məl
\
\
Definition of optimal
: most desirable or satisfactory : optimum
the optimal use of class time the optimal dosage of medication for a patient conditions for optimal development
Keep scrolling for more
Other Words from optimal
optimality
\ ˌäp-tə-ˈma-lə-tē
\
noun
\
noun
optimally
\ ˈäp-tə-mə-lē
\
adverb
\
adverb
Examples of optimal in a Sentence
He keeps his engine tuned for optimal performance.
Under optimal conditions, these plants grow quite tall.
Recent Examples on the Web
This is because there are an abundance of infected mammal-biting mosquitoes, and environmental conditions are optimal for mosquito breeding. — Maria Lovato, BostonGlobe.com, "22 communities at high risk from mosquito-borne virus; Mass. to spray insecticide," 6 Aug. 2019 Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc has branded the 2019/20 Bundesliga fixture list as 'sub-optimal' as Die Schwarzgelben are set to play an away match after all of their Champions League group stage clashes. — SI.com, "Borussia Dortmund Sporting Director Criticises Fixture-Planning for 2019/20 Bundesliga Season," 29 June 2019 During his term, the central bank never succeeded in consistently pushing inflation to the official target of 2 percent, the level considered optimal for growth. — Jack Ewing, New York Times, "Mario Draghi Saved the Euro. Will His Successor Be Equally Committed?," 16 June 2019 Neither option is optimal, and neither encourages recycling. — Nicole Anzia, The Seattle Times, "5 ideas for dream storage spaces," 7 Jan. 2019 That means feline-friendly walkways that run throughout the home, a spiral ladder connecting the kitchen to the second floor, and staggered shelves for optimal (and varied) spots for relaxation. — Amy Preiser, ELLE Decor, "What Your Home Would Look Like If You Let Your Cat Play Decorator," 11 Mar. 2014 Home air conditioning is optimal, Lewis said, but fans can also help evaporate some of the pesky heat. — Nicole Blackwood, baltimoresun.com, "5 things you should know about heat exhaustion," 19 July 2019 The speaker and guests will examine the avenues for maintaining optimal health by analyzing how various components of life impact our day to day living and how small changes can make a big difference. — courant.com, "Community News For The West Hartford Edition," 15 July 2019 That's in line with a 2012 paper on the impact dynamics of hollow spheres partially filled with fluids, which concluded that a container filled to 30-percent capacity is the optimal amount to achieve the crucial damping effect. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, "Physics holds the key to performing the flipping water bottle trick," 8 Oct. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'optimal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for optimal
optimal
adjective
English Language Learners Definition of optimal
formal
: best or most effective
See the full definition for optimal in the English Language Learners Dictionary
optimal
adjective
op·ti·mal
| \ ˈäp-tə-məl
\
\
Medical Definition of optimal
: most desirable or satisfactory : optimum
optimal concentrations of a drug
Other Words from optimal
optimality
\ ˌäp-tə-ˈmal-ət-ē
\
noun,
plural optimalities
\
noun,
plural optimalities
optimally
\ -mə-lē
\
adverb
\
adverb
Keep scrolling for more