# minimum

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈmɪnɪməm/ · frequency rank #2,081

## Definitions
1. The lowest limit.
2. The smallest amount.
3. A period of minimum brightness or energy intensity (of a star).
4. A lower bound of a set which is also an element of that set.
5. The smallest member of a batch or sample or the lower bound of a probability distribution.

## Etymology
Learned borrowing from Latin minimum, neuter form of minimus (“least, smallest”).

## Easily confused with
- **maximum** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/maximum-vs-minimum)
- **minimal** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/minimal-vs-minimum)
- **minibus** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/minibus-vs-minimum)

## Common misspellings (10)
`imnimum`, `miinmum`, `minimmu`, `minimmum`, `minimumm`, `miniumm`, `minmium`, `minnimum`, `mminimum`, `mniimum`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/minimum