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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Minimum: Definition, Usage & Key Examples (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：the lowest permitted level (minimum)

minimum 🔊

/ˈmɪn.ɪ.məm/

the smallest amount of something that is allowed, needed, or possible.

the lowest permitted level 🔊

➕

/ðə ˈloʊ.ɪst pərˈmɪt.ɪd ˈlev.əl/

This meaning refers to the smallest amount, number, or level that is officially allowed, required, or considered acceptable. It sets a lower limit or baseline.

📁 Category：Laws & Regulations 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'minimus', meaning 'smallest'. Root: 'min-' (smallest, least).

💡 Mnemonic

A MINi car is the MINImum size you can drive. Think 'mini' -> 'minimum'.

📖 Example

The job advertisement clearly states that the minimum age for applicants is 21. 🔊 The job advertisement clearly states that the lowest age allowed for applicants is 21.

🔗 Collocations

minimum wage – the lowest legal hourly pay rate for workers

minimum age – the youngest age at which something is legally permitted

meet the minimum requirements – to satisfy the basic or lowest necessary conditions

🔄 Synonyms

lowest (adj.) – situated at the bottom; least in amount or degree.

smallest (adj.) – the most little in size, amount, or degree.

least (adj.) – the smallest in amount, extent, or significance.

🚫 Antonyms

maximum (n.) – the greatest amount or degree possible or allowed.

peak (n.) – the point of highest activity, quality, or achievement.

ceiling (n.) – an upper limit set on something, such as prices or wages.

🌱 Derivatives

minimal (adj.) – of a minimum amount, quantity, or degree; negligible.

minimize (v.) – to reduce something to the smallest possible amount or degree.

📖 Cultural Story

The word entered English in the 17th century from Latin, where 'minimus' was the superlative of 'parvus' (small). It was first used in mathematical and legal contexts to denote the smallest possible quantity, a concept crucial for setting standards, limits, and benchmarks in commerce, law, and science.

Meaning 2：the smallest value (minimum)

minimum 🔊

/ˈmɪn.ɪ.məm/

in math, it's the smallest number in a set of data; the lowest point something can reach.

the smallest value 🔊

➕

/ðə ˈsmɔːl.ɪst ˈvæl.juː/

In mathematics, statistics, or general measurement, this refers to the lowest number or point in a given set of data or the lowest level something can attain.

📁 Category：School Education 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

In our class test, the minimum score was 45, but the highest was 98. 🔊 In our class test, the lowest score achieved was 45, but the highest score was 98.

🔗 Collocations

minimum score – the lowest point or mark achieved in a test or competition

at a minimum – at the very least; as a baseline estimate

local minimum – in mathematics, the lowest point in a specific section of a graph or function

🔄 Synonyms

nadir (n.) – the lowest or most unsuccessful point in a situation.

bottom (n.) – the lowest point or part of something.

lowest point (n.) – the most minimum level or position.

🚫 Antonyms

maximum (n.) – the greatest amount or value in a set of data.

highest (adj.) – the greatest in amount, degree, or intensity.

peak (n.) – the highest point, especially in a graph or dataset.

🌱 Derivatives

minimal (adj.) – very small in amount or degree.

minimize (v.) – to represent or estimate at less than the true value or importance.