minutes

British  

/ ˈmɪnɪts /

plural noun

1. an official record of the proceedings of a meeting, conference, convention, etc

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Explanation

Minutes are notes that are taken at a meeting and often distributed to participants. Often, the secretary of an organization or club is the person who gets stuck taking the minutes. The best minutes provide a summary of the most important items that were discussed during a meeting. Parent-teacher organizations, city councils, and court hearings all include someone who takes minutes. In the case of a hearing, every single word spoken in the courtroom, unless specifically excluded by the judge, is included in the minutes. The Latin root of minutes is minuta scriptura, "rough notes," or "small writing."

Example Sentences

Minutes earlier, the charismatic frontwoman of 4 Non Blondes had been laughing and smiling with her bandmates, performing new material and a pair of favorites including their 1993 hit “What’s Up?”

From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2026

In an interview with CBS's 60 Minutes on Sunday, Trump said he "wasn't worried" during the ordeal.

From BBC • Apr. 27, 2026

Scenario discussion at the press conference: Minutes are published with a delay, so they can be perceived as stale.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 27, 2026

Minutes later, the clerk would call police and present security-camera footage as evidence.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026

Minutes later Lupita was sitting once more in the rear seat of the red convertible, wrapped in her aunt’s shawl.

From "Lupita Mañana" by Patricia Beatty