de minimis

American  

[duh min-uh-mis, dey] / də ˈmɪn ə mɪs, deɪ /

1. pertaining to minimal or trivial things; small, minor, or insignificant; negligible.

   De minimis gifts to employees are not subject to taxation.

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Usage

What does de minimis mean? De minimis means so small or inconsequential as to not be worthy of attention.De minimis is typically used in a legal context in regard to things that are not important or significant enough to be bound by rules or regulations. It is often used in phrases like de minimis rule or de minimis exemption. Like many other technical legal terms, de minimis comes from Latin.Example: Amounts that low are considered de minimis, so they don’t need to be reported as taxable income.

Etymology

Origin of de minimis

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

All but the litter charges were thrown out, and even that was deemed de minimis.

From Slate

“The amount that we’ve purchased so far is de minimis,” said state Rep. John Bear, a Republican on the legislature’s state investment funds committee.

From The Wall Street Journal

The express business was marred by lower shipment volumes to the U.S. last year due to higher tariffs and the elimination of the de minimis rule that exempted small-value items from taxes and duties.

From The Wall Street Journal

Is the de minimis tariff exemption back in effect?

From The Wall Street Journal

The Supreme Court decision didn’t touch on the de minimis rule.

From The Wall Street Journal