de minimis
adjective
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Proponents of readable prose over jargon and legalese might argue that the last thing 20th-century American jurisprudence needed was another Latin term. Yet here we have a legal term that entered English only around 1950. Perhaps we should clarify: the legal doctrine of de minimis non curat lex ("the law does not concern itself with trifling matters") has been around for a while, but use of de minimis on its own is relatively recent. At first, the shortened phrase was simply used to refer to the legal doctrine itself ("the de minimis rule"). Then it came to be used more broadly as an adjective ("de minimis contacts with the defendant"). Finally, de minimis leaked out of the courtroom and into the world at large.
Examples of de minimis in a Sentence
Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 10 July 2025
Now, worldwide duty-free access to U.S. consumers will face a similar fate, with the de minimis exception set to end for countries across the globe in June of 2027.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 3 July 2025
With both France and the U.S. moving toward stronger regulations, with the ending of the de minimis rule in the U.S and possible taxation in France, Tang said that targeting Shein would ultimately hurt consumers.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 16 June 2025
That’s because earlier this month, a major shipping loophole, known as the de minimis exemption, which allowed shipments of goods worth $800 or less to come into the United States duty-free, expired.
—Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for de minimis
Cite this Entry
“De minimis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/de%20minimis. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
de minimis
adjective
Note: An action may be dismissed if the claim or cause is considered de minimis.
New Latin, concerning trifles
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