Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense optimizes, present participle optimizing, past tense, past participle optimizedregional note: in BRIT, also use optimise
1. verb
To optimize a plan, system, or machine means to arrange or design it so that it operates as smoothly and efficiently as possible.
[formal]
Doctors are concentrating on understanding the disease better, and on optimizingthe treatment. [VERB noun]
The new systems have been optimised for running Microsoft Windows. [beVERB-ed]
2. verb
To optimize a situation or opportunity means to get as much advantage or benefit from it as you can.
[formal]
What can you do to optimize your family situation? [VERB noun]
optimize in British English
or optimise (ˈɒptɪˌmaɪz)
verb
1. (transitive)
to take the full advantage of
2. (transitive)
to plan or carry out (an economic activity) with maximum efficiency
3. (intransitive)
to be optimistic
4. (transitive)
to write or modify (a computer program) to achieve maximum efficiency in storage capacity, time, cost, etc
5. (transitive)
to find the best compromise among several often conflicting requirements, as in engineering design
Derived forms
optimization (ˌoptimiˈzation) or optimisation (ˌoptimiˈsation)
noun
optimize in American English
(ˈɑptəˌmaɪz)
verb intransitiveWord forms: ˈoptiˌmized or ˈoptiˌmizing
1.
to be given to optimism
verb transitive
2.
to make the most of; develop or realize to the utmost extent; obtain the most efficient or optimum use of
Derived forms
optimization (ˌoptimiˈzation)
noun
Examples of 'optimize' in a sentence
optimize
The techies had made a few small tweaks to Raven's Elint gear to optimize gathering in the frequencies the clone appeared to use.
Dale Brown and Jim DeFelice DALE BROWN'S DREAMLAND (5) STRIKE ZONE (2004)
In other languages
optimize
British English: optimize VERB
To optimize a plan, system, or machine means to arrange or design it so that it operates as smoothly and efficiently as possible.
Doctors are concentrating on optimizing the treatment.