Minimum: The Least That Will Do
A minimum is the smallest amount possible or allowed. Minimum wage laws made it one of the most argued-about words in economics.
A minimum is the least amount required, allowed or possible. It became a political word in the twentieth century: a minimum wage sets a legal floor under pay, first nationally in New Zealand in 1894, and the argument about its effects has run ever since.
- The smallest possible amount. *A minimum of two years.*
- The lowest value reached. *Last night's minimum was minus three.*
- Minimum wage — a legal pay floor. *The minimum wage rose in April.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | minimum | The bare minimum. |
| Plural | minimums | Several minimums. |
| Plural (Latin) | minima | Local minima. |
| Adjective | minimal | Minimal damage. |
| Verb | minimise | Minimise the risk. |
How it is used in a sentence
- A minimum of six months' notice is required.A minimum of takes a singular verb with a number.
- He does the bare minimum.A criticism.
- The algorithm can get stuck in a local minimum.Mathematics keeps the Latin plural.
Minimum in phrases
- Bare minimum — the least acceptable
- Minimum wage — the legal pay floor
- Minimum viable product — the smallest useful version to test
- Keep to a minimum — reduce as far as possible
- Minimal — the adjective, meaning very small
From Latin *minimum*, the neuter of *minimus*, least, the superlative of *parvus*, small. It came into English through mathematics in the seventeenth century.
Minimum or minimal?
Minimum is the amount; minimal is the adjective. A minimum charge is the lowest allowed; minimal damage means hardly any.
Minimums or minima?
Both are correct. Minima is standard in mathematics and science.