minimum

American  

[min-uh-muhm] / ˈmɪn ə məm /

noun

minimums, plural minima plural

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 /

minimums plural

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

Rutherford, who faced a 32-year mandatory minimum and was sentenced to 42.5 years, would have faced a mandatory minimum of 14 years today.

From Slate • May 29, 2026

“If you only pay that minimum balance, you may never pay off the credit-card debt,” said Schuh, who previously worked for the Federal Reserve Board of Governors.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026

It is considering whether to introduce a legal minimum age for social media, alongside limits on features such as autoplay and infinite scrolling, and stronger age checks.

From BBC • May 29, 2026

The short-barreled rifle was deemed unlawful because it did not meet the minimum federal requirement of 16 inches.

From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 2026

That came to almost eight dollars an hour—which my dad said was a lot more than I’d make minimum wage at McDonald’s.

From "Red Kayak" by Priscilla Cummings

Related Words

• minimal