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

"Most pro-inflammatory mediators have a very short half-life, meaning they only last for minutes, not hours."

From Science Daily • May 19, 2026

Monday off Sandy Avenue and raced toward nearby homes within minutes, destroying one.

From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crisp and the fat has rendered, about 5–7 minutes.

From Salon • May 19, 2026

He probably won't see any minutes, but he'll be good around the place; selfless and positive.

From BBC • May 19, 2026

We sat not talking for a few minutes.

From "Firegirl" by Tony Abbott