[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/minimisation/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [M](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/m/) / minimisation

# minimisation

noun (minimisation, uncountable); US spelling «minimization»

«minimisation» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Making something as small as possible: «the minimisation of waste». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/minimisation/#m1)
2. (maths) Finding the smallest possible value of something under some rules. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/minimisation/#m2)
3. Making a problem seem less serious than it really is: «minimisation of bullying is harmful». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/minimisation/#m3)

### In the lessons

In maths, minimisation problems ask for the smallest cost, distance or time: for example, the shortest path on a map. In science and the environment, «waste minimisation» means producing less rubbish. In safety and wellbeing, minimising a problem (saying «it's nothing» when someone is hurt) can stop people getting help. Phrases: «waste minimisation», «risk minimisation».

### Examples

- The school has a waste minimisation plan. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/minimisation/#x1)
- Risk minimisation means wearing a helmet when cycling. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/minimisation/#x2)
- The maths puzzle was about minimisation of the travel distance. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/minimisation/#x3)
- Minimisation of costs helped the club save money. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/minimisation/#x4)
- Saying «it's just teasing» can be a minimisation of bullying. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/minimisation/#x5)
- Engineers work on the minimisation of energy use. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/minimisation/#x6)
- Minimisation and maximisation are both kinds of optimisation. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/minimisation/#x7)
- The minimisation of plastic packaging is good for the oceans. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/minimisation/#x8)

### Note

Uncountable. UK/Australia/NZ «minimisation», US/Canada «minimization». Verb: minimise/minimize. In maths, minimisation means finding the least value allowed by the rules – not always zero.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «minimisation» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/minimisation/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«minimisation» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/minimisation.html) on Mova free.