minimum
noun/ˈmɪnɪməm/
/ˈmɪnɪməm/
(plural minima
[countable, usually singular]/ˈmɪnɪmə/
/ˈmɪnɪmə/
)- (abbreviation min.)the smallest or lowest amount that is possible, required or recorded
- The class needs a minimum of six students to continue.
- to a minimum Costs should be kept to a minimum.
- Temperatures will fall to a minimum of 10 degrees.
- as a… minimum As an absolute minimum, you should spend two hours in the evening studying.
- at a minimum Candidates must have a degree at a minimum.
- He's always done the minimum possible to pass his exams.
Extra ExamplesTopics Maths and measurementb2- Many people pay the minimum on their credit cards.
- Many states impose an age minimum of eighteen for the death penalty.
- Two fire crews managed to keep damage to a minimum.
- We tried to keep costs down to a minimum.
- Most property funds require a minimum of $25 000 to invest.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- absolute
- bare
- very
- …
- keep something to
- reduce something to
- reach
- …
- above (the) minimum
- at (a/the) minimum
- below (the) minimum
- …
- the minimum necessary
- the minimum needed
- the minimum possible
- …
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- [singular] an extremely small amount
- He passed the exams with the minimum of effort.
- They had military experience, but a bare minimum of police training.
- The room had a minimum of furniture.
- The tent can be put up with the minimum of effort.
- Operations were conducted efficiently, safely and with a minimum of fuss.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- absolute
- bare
- very
- …
- keep something to
- reduce something to
- reach
- …
- above (the) minimum
- at (a/the) minimum
- below (the) minimum
- …
- the minimum necessary
- the minimum needed
- the minimum possible
- …
Word Originmid 17th cent.: from Latin, neuter of minimus ‘least’.
Check pronunciation:
minimum