superlative of little entry 1
1
: lowest in importance or position
It's least on my list of worries.
2
a
: smallest in size or degree
The least noise would startle her.
b
: being a member of a kind distinguished by diminutive size
the least bittern
c
: smallest possible : slightest
believed that the least government was the best government—
Irving Stone
Irving Stone
: one that is least
Examples of least in a Sentence
Adverb
Who was the least at fault in the case?
He asked me to help him when I least expected it.
That was the least important of her reasons.
That was the least interesting book I have ever read.
Recent Examples on the Web
Rebecca Cohen, NBC News, 14 Mar. 2025
Audit user accounts with administrative privileges and configure access controls according to the principle of least privilege.
—Davey Winder, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Rae Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 28 Mar. 2023
This is one of the ideas that have long made electoral politics a graveyard for the American left: the hope of a post-political, revolutionary campaign built on the backs of the voters most sympathetic to their cause and least likely to vote.
—Osita Nwanevu, The New Republic, 19 Mar. 2020
Tim Casey, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
Kansas Highway Patrol said Saturday that eight people were dead after a dust storm caused at least 50 vehicles to crash on an interstate in Sherman County.
—Bruce Shipkowski, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for least
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Adjective
National Police sent teams to monitor the beach overnight at least twice to watch how the water moves to see where a body would drift if someone drowned and to see where the waves crash.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC News, 14 Mar. 2025
Audit user accounts with administrative privileges and configure access controls according to the principle of least privilege.
—Davey Winder, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Noun
The dish was created in 1926 at the Brown Hotel by chef Fred K. Schmidt after guests got bored with traditional ham and egg suppers (or so legend says, at leasts).
—Rae Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 28 Mar. 2023
This is one of the ideas that have long made electoral politics a graveyard for the American left: the hope of a post-political, revolutionary campaign built on the backs of the voters most sympathetic to their cause and least likely to vote.
—Osita Nwanevu, The New Republic, 19 Mar. 2020
Adverb
Ejiofor also had 9 rebounds and became the first Red Storm player since Berry in 1986 to score at least 30 points and 9 rebounds in a game.
—Tim Casey, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
Kansas Highway Patrol said Saturday that eight people were dead after a dust storm caused at least 50 vehicles to crash on an interstate in Sherman County.
—Bruce Shipkowski, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for least
Cite this Entry
“Least.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/least. Accessed 19 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
least
1 of 3 adjective1
: lowest in importance or position
2
: smallest in size or degree
least
2 of 3 noun
: one that is least : something of the lowest possible value or importance
least
3 of 3 adverb
: in the smallest or lowest degree
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