minimize

Word family

Related topics: Computers

min·i·mize (also minimise British EnglishBrE) /ˈmɪnəmaɪz/ AWL verb [transitiveT]

1 REDUCEto reduce something that is difficult, dangerous, or unpleasant to the smallest possible amount or degree 把…减至最小量[程度] OPP maximize

Every effort is being made to minimize civilian casualties.

正在尽最大努力减少平民伤亡。

The rail company is bringing in more trains in an effort to minimize disruption to travellers.

铁路公司正投入更多的列车来减少旅客的不便。

2 UNIMPORTANTto make something seem less serious or important than it really is 使显得不重要，轻视 SYN play down

We must not minimize the problem of racial discrimination.

我们不可小看种族歧视问题。

3 to make a document or program on your computer very small when you are not using it but still want to keep it open 将〔计算机文件或程序〕最小化 OPP maximize

Click on the top of the window to minimize it.

点击窗口的顶端使其最小化。

Examples from the Corpus

minimize• Some creasing is inevitable but it can be minimized by judicious stretching of the liner as the pool fills.• The first is that it is hard to ensure that the industry really does minimize costs.• Pipes are outside the buildings to minimize damage in case of an earthquake.• By contrast, a recreational paddler in a remote gorge will want to maximize safety and minimize energy expenditure.• He is meticulous in developing, implementing and maintaining systems which minimize inventory and maximize profit.• To minimize risks, they would not be required to disarm the several militia groups responsible for recent massacres.• Before you sell any mutual funds, minimize taxes by checking different ways of computing costs.• White House officials sought to minimize the importance of the meeting.• Peers working together minimize the pain of some schoolwork, while promoting learning and cooperation for both.• The city is working on plans to minimize traffic problems.

From Longman Business Dictionary