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
The bottom line is the 49ers moved a good player for minimal draft gains and financial relief.
—
Jeff Howe, The Athletic, 16 Mar. 2025
Most were given minimal instruction in segregated settings away from other children.
—James A. Kadamus, Hartford Courant, 16 Mar. 2025
Those minimal gains in performance were wiped out by the absence of face-to-face learning during the pandemic.
—James A. Kadamus, Hartford Courant, 16 Mar. 2025
Also, to a lesser extent, the gritty urban New York City landscape around Varick Street—a neighborhood of expensive lofts in buildings that, from the exterior, seem minimal, grim.
—Deborah Treisman, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for minimal
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Jeff Howe, The Athletic, 16 Mar. 2025
Most were given minimal instruction in segregated settings away from other children.
—James A. Kadamus, Hartford Courant, 16 Mar. 2025
Those minimal gains in performance were wiped out by the absence of face-to-face learning during the pandemic.
—James A. Kadamus, Hartford Courant, 16 Mar. 2025
Also, to a lesser extent, the gritty urban New York City landscape around Varick Street—a neighborhood of expensive lofts in buildings that, from the exterior, seem minimal, grim.
—Deborah Treisman, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 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 18 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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