minimal

adjective

min·​i·​mal ˈmi-nə-məl How to pronounce minimal (audio)
1
: relating to or being a minimum: such as
a
: the least possible
a victory won with minimal loss of life
b
: barely adequate
a minimal standard of living
c
: very small or slight
a minimal interest in art
2
often capitalized : of, relating to, or being minimal art or minimalism
minimally adverb

Examples of minimal in a Sentence

The storm caused minimal damage. areas at minimal risk for flooding
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There’s a dysfunction process induced by the cancer and hijacking of the neural circuits, but the cancer needs the neural circuits to function, so destruction is much more minimal and much later in the course of the disease. Ingrid Wickelgren, Scientific American, 14 Feb. 2025 According to The Weather Channel, there is minimal rain expected from Thursday to Saturday, indicating a low likelihood of rain interfering with Thursday's Duel at Daytona or the Friday NASCAR Truck Series. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025 With minimal access to media, the dual American Israeli citizen only learned months after he was captured that his son had survived the attack that launched the war in Gaza. Tia Goldenberg, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2025 It's been given an age rating of 10+, which means its building process shouldn't be too complicated, allowing kids to complete it with minimal supervision. Kimberley Snaith, Space.com, 13 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for minimal 

Word History

First Known Use

1666, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of minimal was in 1666

Dictionary Entries Near minimal

Cite this Entry

“Minimal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/minimal. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

minimal

adjective
min·​i·​mal ˈmin-ə-məl How to pronounce minimal (audio)
: relating to or being a minimum : least
minimally adverb

Medical Definition

minimal

adjective
min·​i·​mal ˈmin-ə-məl How to pronounce minimal (audio)
: relating to or being a minimum : constituting the least possible with respect to size, number, degree, or certain stated conditions
tuberosity fractures heal with minimal … treatmentJ. S. Keene et al.
residents receive a minimal level of personal careA. S. Oser
side effects are minimal

More from Merriam-Webster on minimal

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