optimal

adjective

op·​ti·​mal ˈäp-tə-məl How to pronounce optimal (audio)
: most desirable or satisfactory : optimum
the optimal use of class time
the optimal dosage of medication for a patient
conditions for optimal development
optimality noun
optimally adverb

Examples of optimal in a Sentence

He keeps his engine tuned for optimal performance. Under optimal conditions, these plants grow quite tall.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
At room temperature, coarse-ground coffee must be steeped for 12 or 16 or 24 hours before the beans release their optimal flavors. Matthew Korfhage, WIRED, 6 Dec. 2024 Views on Military Strength and Engagement Americans also weighed in on the optimal size of the U.S. military for countering global threats. Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024 The optimal time for the next dose is the following mid-to-late September. Fran Kritz, NPR, 6 Dec. 2024 Several outlets reported that some Democrats were pushing Raskin to challenge Nadler — including former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) — seeing the younger, more refined Marylander as optimal to the brash, septuagenarian New Yorker. Mike Lillis, The Hill, 4 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for optimal 

Word History

Etymology

optim(um) + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of optimal was in 1890

Dictionary Entries Near optimal

Cite this Entry

“Optimal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/optimal. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

optimal

adjective
op·​ti·​mal ˈäp-tə-məl How to pronounce optimal (audio)
optimally adverb

Medical Definition

optimal

adjective
op·​ti·​mal ˈäp-tə-məl How to pronounce optimal (audio)
: most desirable or satisfactory : optimum
optimal concentrations of a drug
optimality noun
plural optimalities
optimally adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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