minimum

American  

[min-uh-muhm] / ˈmɪn ə məm /

noun

plural

minimums, minima

1. the least quantity or amount possible, assignable, allowable, or the like.

2. the lowest speed permitted on a highway.

3. the lowest amount, value, or degree attained or recorded.

4. an arbitrary amount set by a restaurant, nightclub, etc., as the least amount to be charged each person for food and drink.

5. Mathematics.

   1. Also called relative minimum,.  Also called local minimum.  the value of a function at a certain point in its domain, which is less than or equal to the values at all other points in the immediate vicinity of the point.

   2. the point in the domain at which a minimum occurs.

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adjective

1. noting or indicating a minimum.

2. least possible.

   minimum risk.

3. lowest.

   a minimum rate.

4. pertaining to a minimum or minimums.

minimum British  

/ ˈmɪnɪməm /

noun

1. the least possible amount, degree, or quantity

2. the least amount recorded, allowed, or reached

   the minimum in our temperature record this month was 50°

3. (modifier) being the least possible, recorded, allowed, etc

   minimum age

4. maths a value of a function that is less than any neighbouring value

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adjective

1. of or relating to a minimum or minimums

minimum Scientific  

/ mĭn′ə-məm /

plural

minimums

1. The lowest known or lowest possible number, measure, quantity, or degree.

2. The lowest value of a mathematical function, if it has such a value.

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Usage

What does minimum mean? Minimum means the lowest amount or level of something. Minimum can be a noun or an adjective and it has several more specific meanings, all of which are related in some way to its primary meaning. When minimum is used as a noun, its plural can be minimums or, less commonly, minima. Example: Take the pie out of the oven and let it cool for a minimum of 30 minutes before serving.

Etymology

Origin of minimum

First recorded in 1655–65; from Latin, neuter of minimus “smallest, least”; see minor

Explanation

The minimum is the lowest or smallest amount possible or acceptable. If you do the minimum amount of work at your job, you might not get fired — but you definitely won't get promoted. Minimum is Latin for smallest, so clearly English speakers have done less than the minimum amount of messing with the meaning of this word. Obviously, the opposite is maximum. At minimum, you should know that the word means the smallest limit of something. At most, you should be able to talk about its Latin roots.

Example Sentences

Ten states let physician assistants—who generally have a minimum of six or seven years of clinical training and higher education—practice independently as well.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 16, 2026

Roth conversions are a huge topic among retirees facing required minimum distributions at age 73, but they may be too hot a topic.

From MarketWatch • May 15, 2026

Ed died in 2019, when rules let people take minimum distributions from inherited retirement accounts over their lifetimes, allowing the balances to grow tax deferred for decades.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026

In England, a minimum of 28 cameras, though often more, are available to the VAR at each ground.

From BBC • May 14, 2026

The Duke vigil ended a few days later when Wright Tisdale, chair of the Duke trustees, announced that a minimum wage of $1.60 for nonacademic staff would be phased in over the next several months.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson

Related Words

• minimal