minima

minima — noun

1. the lowest amounts, levels, or limits that are possible, accepted, or measured i

1.名詞C1
釋義

the lowest amounts, levels, or limits that are possible, accepted, or measured in a particular case.

例句

The treaty sets minima for worker safety in every factory.

formal pattern: minima for something

The lab records daily minima and maxima for each greenhouse.

pairing: minima and maxima

同義詞
  • minimums

    the more everyday plural, especially outside formal or scientific writing

  • lows

    looser and common in weather or market talk rather than official limits

  • floors

    focuses on limits that must not be crossed, especially in rules or pricing

反義詞
  • maxima

    the matching formal plural for the highest measured or allowed values

文法句型

temperature minima

legal minima

minima for something

用法筆記

Usually seen in formal, scientific, or technical writing. In everyday English, many speakers choose 'minimums' instead. Distinguish this sense from sense 2, which is specifically about mathematical values.

常見錯誤

❌The climate table lists three minimum for July.
✅The climate table lists three minima for July.
💡Use the plural form when you mean several lowest recorded values in formal writing.

2. the values that come out lowest when numbers in a set or a mathematical function

2.名詞C1
釋義

the values that come out lowest when numbers in a set or a mathematical function are compared.

例句

The graph has two local minima near x equals one and four.

math term: local minima

Jisoo checked whether the curve's minima matched the computer model.

pattern: minima matched the model

同義詞
  • minimums

    less technical and less standard in mathematical writing

  • low points

    broader and less exact than a mathematical value

  • troughs

    works for wave or graph shapes, but not for every numerical set

反義詞
  • maxima

    the highest values in the same set, curve, or function

文法句型

local minima

global minima

minima of a function

用法筆記

Mainly used in mathematics, computing, and technical analysis. Unlike sense 1, it names the lowest values inside a set, graph, or function rather than general lower limits or recorded lows.

常見錯誤

❌The graph shows two minimums near the center.
✅The graph shows two minima near the center.
💡In mathematics, 'minima' is the standard formal plural.