minimum Definition
- 1the smallest amount or quantity that is allowed or possible
- 2the least or lowest amount or degree
Using minimum: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "minimum" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The minimum age for voting is 18.
Example
We require a minimum of 3 years of experience for this job.
Example
The temperature should be kept at a minimum of 20 degrees Celsius.
Example
The company guarantees a minimum of 5% return on investment.
minimum Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with minimum
Example
You should have at a minimum two years of experience for this position.
the lowest amount of money that an employer is legally required to pay to an employee for their work
Example
The minimum wage in this state is $10 per hour.
a type of prison where prisoners are allowed more freedom and fewer restrictions than in a maximum-security prison
Example
He was transferred to a minimum-security prison after serving five years in a maximum-security one.
Origins of minimum
from Latin 'minimus', meaning 'smallest'
Summary: minimum in Brief
The term 'minimum' [ˈmɪnɪməm] refers to the smallest or least amount or degree that is allowed or possible. It can be used to describe the lowest temperature, age limit, or investment return, as in 'The minimum age for voting is 18.' 'Minimum' also appears in phrases like 'at a minimum,' indicating the lowest possible level, and 'minimum wage,' referring to the lowest legal payment for work.
