minimal
adjective
min·i·mal
ˈmi-nə-məl 
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
Examples of minimal in a Sentence
The storm caused minimal damage.
areas at minimal risk for flooding
Recent Examples on the Web
Games were played in half-empty arenas, and broadcast deals were minimal.
—
Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
The sleek, minimal runner style for women has a low shape that hugs the foot comfortably and lightweight feel.
—Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2025
But following President Donald Trump’s gutting of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the US response has been minimal, prompting condemnation from American senators and civil society groups.
—Ross Adkin, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2025
Bear in mind that my knowledge of and exposure to computers before this was minimal, and my exposure to PCs had been nearly nil—I'd played Oregon Trail on an Apple IIe in elementary school, and the few computers that were in my classrooms or computer labs at the time were Macs.
—ArsTechnica, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for minimal
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Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
The sleek, minimal runner style for women has a low shape that hugs the foot comfortably and lightweight feel.
—Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2025
But following President Donald Trump’s gutting of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the US response has been minimal, prompting condemnation from American senators and civil society groups.
—Ross Adkin, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2025
Bear in mind that my knowledge of and exposure to computers before this was minimal, and my exposure to PCs had been nearly nil—I'd played Oregon Trail on an Apple IIe in elementary school, and the few computers that were in my classrooms or computer labs at the time were Macs.
—ArsTechnica, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for minimal
Cite this Entry
“Minimal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/minimal. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
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Medical Definition
minimal
adjective
min·i·mal
ˈmin-ə-məl
: 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 … treatment—J. S. Keene et al.
J. S. Keene et al.residents receive a minimal level of personal care—A. S. Oser
A. S. Oserside effects are minimal
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