Akademik

minimize

minimize min‧i‧mize [ˈmɪnmaɪz] also minimise verb [transitive]

1. to make something as small as possible:

• Investing in unit trusts minimises the risks if stock markets fall.

• We need to minimize our transport costs.

2. COMPUTING to make a window on a computer screen as small as possible:

• Click on the small square to minimise the window.
— opposite maximize

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minimize UK US (UK also minimise) /ˈmɪnɪmaɪz/ verb [T]

► to reduce something to the smallest possible level or amount: »We rented an office in the cheap part of town to minimize costs.
»You should spread your investments to minimize the risk of large losses.
»The airline is trying to minimize the impact of the strike on the public.
»The safety features aim to prevent or minimize injury in the case of an accident.

► to make something seem less important or smaller than it really is: »The bank was accused of minimizing the risks and exaggerating the potential gains of the investment.
»It's important to focus on your strengths and to minimize your weaknesses.

► IT to click on the corner of a computer window to reduce it to a small title and hide its contents: »You can minimize the virus checker window and let it run in the background.

→ See also MAXIMIZE(Cf. ↑maximize)

Financial and business terms. 2012.