optimum
noun
op·ti·mum
ˈäp-tə-məm 
plural optima
ˈäp-tə-mə
also optimums
also optimums
1
: the amount or degree of something that is most favorable to some end
The substances were mixed in various proportions until an optimum was reached.
especially
: the most favorable condition for the growth and reproduction of an organism
The soil condition for this crop is now at an optimum.
2
: greatest degree attained or attainable under implied or specified conditions
This agricultural pest reaches its optimum farther south.
optimum
adjective
Examples of optimum in a Sentence
The substances were mixed in various proportions until an optimum was reached.
Recent Examples on the Web
Founded in 1975, the Bellevue-area dealership boasts an Experience Center where clients can hear Wilson Audio products at their optimum before purchasing.
—
Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2024
This landscape might resemble a mountain range, where the top of each mountain represents a local optimum and where the challenge is to find the highest peak in the range—the global optimum.
—IEEE Spectrum, 22 Oct. 2019
The average thickness of the meat cut by butchers for breaded beef was 5.9 mm, not too far from the optimum.
—Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 17 July 2013
The Ottoman Empire was stuck at a local optimum.
—Razib Khan, National Review, 31 July 2021
However, the average thickness of the meat in the breaded beef ready for frying sold by the same butchers 3.7 mm, clearly thinner than the optimum.
—Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 17 July 2013
This illustrates the evolutionary principle of convergence, where different populations approach the same phenotypic optimum, though by somewhat different means.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 22 Jan. 2012
Given enough time and gene flow no doubt adaptations would homogenize and converge upon a perfect optimum, but given enough time the universe will devolve into heat death.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 3 July 2010
The optimum would be to toss into the stream of discussion an AI outlier comment that would get everyone to go full-on fissionable red hot.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 10 July 2022
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Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2024
This landscape might resemble a mountain range, where the top of each mountain represents a local optimum and where the challenge is to find the highest peak in the range—the global optimum.
—IEEE Spectrum, 22 Oct. 2019
The average thickness of the meat cut by butchers for breaded beef was 5.9 mm, not too far from the optimum.
—Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 17 July 2013
The Ottoman Empire was stuck at a local optimum.
—Razib Khan, National Review, 31 July 2021
However, the average thickness of the meat in the breaded beef ready for frying sold by the same butchers 3.7 mm, clearly thinner than the optimum.
—Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 17 July 2013
This illustrates the evolutionary principle of convergence, where different populations approach the same phenotypic optimum, though by somewhat different means.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 22 Jan. 2012
Given enough time and gene flow no doubt adaptations would homogenize and converge upon a perfect optimum, but given enough time the universe will devolve into heat death.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 3 July 2010
The optimum would be to toss into the stream of discussion an AI outlier comment that would get everyone to go full-on fissionable red hot.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 10 July 2022
Articles Related to optimum
Dictionary Entries Near optimum
Cite this Entry
“Optimum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/optimum. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
optimum
noun
op·ti·mum
ˈäp-tə-məm
plural optima
-mə
also optimums
also optimums
1
: the amount or degree of something that is most favorable to some end
especially
: the most favorable condition for the growth and reproduction of an organism
2
: greatest degree attained or attainable under implied or specified conditions
optimum
adjective
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