Main Entry: op·ti·mal Pronunciation: 'äp-t&-m&l Function: adjective : most desirable or satisfactory :OPTIMUM <optimal concentrations of a drug> —op·ti·mal·i·ty/"äp-t&-'mal-&t-E/nounplural-ties —op·ti·mal·ly/-m&-lE/adverb
optimal 1. Describes a solution to a problem which minimises some cost function. Linear programming is one technique used to discover the optimal solution to certain problems. 2. Of code: best or most efficient in time, space or code size. (1995-10-05)