nonessential
adjective
non·es·sen·tial
ˌnän-i-ˈsen(t)-shəl 
1
: not essential
2
: being a substance synthesized by the body in sufficient quantity to satisfy dietary needs
nonessential fatty acids
see also nonessential amino acid compare essential sense 2b
nonessential
noun
Synonyms
Examples of nonessential in a Sentence
All nonessential personnel had to be laid off.
Please avoid all nonessential uses of water.
Recent Examples on the Web
Government agencies Most nonessential government services like the DMV, libraries and city offices will be closed.
—
Ramishah Maruf, CNN, 19 Jan. 2025
All Maryland circuit and district courts are closed, while the Supreme Court of Maryland will be holding Monday’s oral arguments via Zoom.
Maryland snowstorm live coverage: Forecast for new snow accumulation
Baltimore City
City offices are closed Monday for nonessential employees.
—Dan Belson, Baltimore Sun, 6 Jan. 2025
Here’s what a partial government shutdown might look like:
• Government operations that are deemed nonessential would be put on ice, with tens of thousands of federal employees furloughed or seeing their hours reduced.
—Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 20 Dec. 2024
For approximately a decade, her husband, Igor, had been dying from a series of treatable cancers in nonessential tissues.
—Brandon Taylor, The Atlantic, 4 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for nonessential 
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Ramishah Maruf, CNN, 19 Jan. 2025
All Maryland circuit and district courts are closed, while the Supreme Court of Maryland will be holding Monday’s oral arguments via Zoom.
Maryland snowstorm live coverage: Forecast for new snow accumulation
Baltimore City
City offices are closed Monday for nonessential employees.
—Dan Belson, Baltimore Sun, 6 Jan. 2025
Here’s what a partial government shutdown might look like:
• Government operations that are deemed nonessential would be put on ice, with tens of thousands of federal employees furloughed or seeing their hours reduced.
—Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 20 Dec. 2024
For approximately a decade, her husband, Igor, had been dying from a series of treatable cancers in nonessential tissues.
—Brandon Taylor, The Atlantic, 4 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for nonessential
Dictionary Entries Near nonessential
Cite this Entry
“Nonessential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonessential. Accessed 26 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
nonessential
adjective
non·es·sen·tial
ˌnän-i-ˈsen-chəl
: not necessary or essential
nonessential
noun
Medical Definition
nonessential
adjective
non·es·sen·tial
-i-ˈsen-chəl
: being a substance synthesized by the body in sufficient quantity for normal health and growth
a nonessential fatty acid
compare essential
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