Minute1  —n. 1 sixtieth part of an hour. 2 distance covered in one minute (ten minutes from the shops). 3 a moment (expecting her any minute). B (prec. By the) colloq. Present time (not here at the minute). C (prec. By the, foll. By a clause) as soon as (the minute you get back). 4 sixtieth part of an angular degree. 5 (in pl.) Summary of the proceedings of a meeting. 6 official memorandum authorizing or recommending a course of action. —v. (-ting) 1 record in minutes. 2 send the minutes of a meeting to.  up to the minute completely up to date. [latin minuo lessen]