minute

¹

[ min-it ]

noun

1. the sixtieth part (1/60) of an hour; sixty seconds.
2. an indefinitely short space of time:

   Wait a minute!

   Synonyms: second, jiffy

3. an exact point in time; instant; moment:

   Come here this minute!

4. minutes, the official record of the proceedings at a meeting of a society, committee, or other group.
5. Chiefly British. a written summary, note, or memorandum.
6. a rough draft, as of a document.
7. Geometry. the sixtieth part of a degree of angular measure, often represented by the sign ′, as in 12° 10′, which is read as 12 degrees and 10 minutes. Compare angle ¹( def 1c ).

verb (used with object)

, min·ut·ed, min·ut·ing.

1. to time exactly, as movements or speed.
2. to make a draft of (a document or the like).
3. to record in a memorandum; note down.
4. to enter in the minutes of a meeting.

adjective

1. prepared in a very short time:

   minute pudding.

minute

²

[ mahy-noot, -nyoot, mi- ]

adjective

, mi·nut·er, mi·nut·est.

1. extremely small, as in size, amount, extent, or degree:

   minute differences.

   Synonyms: minuscule, infinitesimal, tiny

   Antonyms: large

2. of minor importance; insignificant; trifling.
3. attentive to or concerned with even the smallest details:

   a minute examination.

   Synonyms: precise, exact, detailed

   Antonyms: general, rough

minute

¹

/ maɪˈnjuːt /

adjective

1. very small; diminutive; tiny
2. unimportant; petty
3. precise or detailed

   a minute examination

minute

²

/ ˈmɪnɪt /

noun

1. a period of time equal to 60 seconds; one sixtieth of an hour
2. Also calledminute of arc a unit of angular measure equal to one sixtieth of a degree ′
3. any very short period of time; moment
4. a short note or memorandum
5. the distance that can be travelled in a minute

   it's only two minutes away

6. up to the minute
   up-to-the-minute when prenominal very latest or newest

verb

1. to record in minutes

   to minute a meeting

2. to time in terms of minutes

minute

/ mĭn′ĭt /

1. A unit of time equal to 1 60 of an hour or 60 seconds.
2. ◆ A sidereal minute is 1 60 of a sidereal hour, and a mean solar minute is 1 60 of a mean solar hour.
3. See more at sidereal time
4. A unit of angular measurement, such as longitude or right ascension, that is equal to 1 60 of a degree or 60 seconds.

Derived Forms

• miˈnuteness, noun

Other Words From

• un·min·ut·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of minute¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, Middle French, from Medieval Latin minūta, noun use of feminine of minūtus minute ²

Origin of minute²

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Latin minūtus (past participle of minuere “to make smaller or fewer”), equivalent to minū- verb stem + -tus past participle suffix; minus, minor

Word History and Origins

Origin of minute¹

C15: from Latin minūtus, past participle of minuere to diminish

Origin of minute²

C14: from Old French from Medieval Latin minūta, n. use of Latin minūtus minute ²

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. up to the minute, modern; up-to-date:

   The building design is up to the minute.

More idioms and phrases containing minute

see at the last minute ; every minute counts ; just a minute ; mile a minute ; wait a minute .

Synonym Study

Minute, instant, moment refer to small amounts of time. A minute, properly denoting 60 seconds, is often used loosely for any very short space of time (and may be interchangeable with second ): I'll be there in just a minute. An instant is practically a point in time, with no duration, though it is also used to mean a perceptible amount of time: not an instant's delay. Moment denotes much the same as instant, though with a somewhat greater sense of duration (but somewhat less than minute ): It will only take a moment.

See little.

Example Sentences

Data from Ms Riley's smartwatch showed she had "fought for her life, fought for her dignity" only minutes after departing on her run, the trial heard.

From BBC

Defence lawyers said she suffered a mental breakdown and wanted to die with her children but left the car at the last minute.

From BBC

A few minutes later, Conservative Graham Stuart said all MPs "recognise the authenticity" of Rayner's back story including her time working as a carer.

From BBC

After the Chargers lost back-to-back games this season, Dobbins sat motionless in his locker for several minutes with a towel covering his head.

From Los Angeles Times

At a recent book club meeting, her fellow group members were willing to let her vent about politics for five minutes, but they weren’t interested in discussing ways they could counteract the incoming president.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• infinitesimal
• microscopic
• minimal
• minuscule
• tiny