Minimum

//ˈmɪnɪməm// adj, noun

adj, noun ·Common ·High school level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    The lowest limit.

    "We prefer candidates with a minimum of 4 years experience in the field."

  2. 2
    the point on a curve where the tangent changes from negative on the left to positive on the right wordnet
  3. 3
    The smallest amount.

    "He always tries to get away with doing the minimum."

  4. 4
    the smallest possible quantity wordnet
  5. 5
    A period of minimum brightness or energy intensity (of a star).

    "The Maunder minimum of the Sun reportedly corresponded to a period of great cold on Earth."

Show 2 more definitions
  1. 6
    A lower bound of a set which is also an element of that set.
  2. 7
    The smallest member of a batch or sample or the lower bound of a probability distribution.
Adjective
  1. 1
    To the lowest degree. not-comparable
Adjective
  1. 1
    the least possible wordnet

Synonyms

All synonyms
minimalaceadequacyadequateadequate supplyadequateness

Example

More examples

"We have to reduce the cost to a minimum."

Etymology

Learned borrowing from Latin minimum, neuter form of minimus (“least, smallest”).

Related phrases

alternative minimum taxat a minimumat minimumat the minimumbare minimum Mondayminimum connecting timeminimum contactsminimum cutminimum descent altitudeminimum inhibitory concentrationminimum minimorumminimum naturale

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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.