1
: a servile dependent, follower, or underling
He's one of the boss's minions.
2
: one highly favored : idol
his great charity to the poor renders him the minion of the people—
Jonas Hanway
Jonas Hanway3
: a subordinate (see subordinate entry 1 sense 1) or petty official
government minions
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The Origins of Minion
Minion comes from Middle French and is related to filet mignon. The two terms are connected by mignon, meaning "darling." The earliest uses of minion refer to someone who is a particular favorite of a sovereign or other important personage. Over time, however, the word developed a more derogatory sense referring to a person who is servile and unimportant.
Examples of minion in a Sentence
one of the boss's minions
most of the top appointments went to the new governor's personal minions and political cronies
Recent Examples on the Web
Could there be any truth to the fan theory that Greg was hiding on the boat when Tanya killed Quentin and his minions, then fatally conked herself in the head while escaping?
—Judy Berman, TIME, 17 Feb. 2025
In the closing moments of the penultimate episode, Silver is plotting with his minions aboard his yacht.
—Joe Otterson, Variety, 14 Feb. 2025
Genevieve was able to maintain control of her minions despite the chaos and noise surrounding them and even flipped stragglers onto her side.
—Emma Sharpe, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2024
Musk’s minions were also granted access to the entire Treasury Department payment system and have proceeded to block payments to select federal contractors.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025
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Judy Berman, TIME, 17 Feb. 2025
In the closing moments of the penultimate episode, Silver is plotting with his minions aboard his yacht.
—Joe Otterson, Variety, 14 Feb. 2025
Genevieve was able to maintain control of her minions despite the chaos and noise surrounding them and even flipped stragglers onto her side.
—Emma Sharpe, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2024
Musk’s minions were also granted access to the entire Treasury Department payment system and have proceeded to block payments to select federal contractors.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for minion
Dictionary Entries Near minion
Cite this Entry
“Minion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/minion. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
minion
noun
min·ion
ˈmin-yən 
1
: a person who obediently serves or works for a usually powerful person or organization
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