lowest common denominator

American  

noun

Mathematics.

1. least common denominator.

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lowest common denominator British  

noun

1. Abbreviation: LCD.   lcd.  Also called: least common denominator.  the smallest integer or polynomial that is exactly divisible by each denominator of a set of fractions

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lowest common denominator Scientific  

/ lō′ĭst /

1. The least common multiple of the denominators of a set of fractions. For example, the lowest common denominator of 1/3 and 3/4 is 12.

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lowest common denominator Cultural  

1. The smallest number that can be divided evenly into two other numbers (see common denominator). When fractions with different denominators are added together, their denominators have to be made the same; thus, fractions with denominators of nine and twelve have thirty-six as a lowest common denominator. Seventy-two and 108 are also common denominators for fractions with denominators of nine and twelve, but thirty-six is the lowest.

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Discover More

The term lowest common denominator is often used to indicate a lowering of quality resulting from a desire to find common ground for many people: “This fall's TV programming finds the lowest common denominator of taste.”

Etymology

Origin of lowest common denominator

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

Many have dismissed the fruity videos as so-called artificial intelligence "slop" -- poor-quality content churned out to appeal to the lowest common denominator.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

The difficulties grow even more pronounced when discussing those highly visible sculptures that are usually committee-approved, intentionally uncontroversial and frequently appeal to the lowest common denominator: art in public.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 17, 2025

“Elderly female action star” is a cute premise, but Margolin makes the most of it without infantilizing his heroine or otherwise resorting to lowest common denominator humor.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 20, 2024

We don’t want a lowest common denominator here.

From Slate • Sep. 18, 2023

Much of this art, to be sure, is pretty shoddy—art at third- and fourth-hand, worn out by endless repetition, representing the lowest common denominator of popular taste.

From "History of Art, Volume 1" by H.W. Janson