suboptimization

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noun

The optimization of a subunit (or series of subunits) of an organization without good coordination with other subunits, resulting in the whole organisation's outcome or output being less than optimal.

OriginEnglish optimization ← Latin sub- →
Scrabble 30
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Meanings

nounsuboptimization (countable and uncountable, plural suboptimizations)

plural suboptimizations

  1. countableuncountableThe optimization of a subunit (or series of subunits) of an organization without good coordination with other subunits, resulting in the whole organisation's outcome or output being less than optimal.

Origin

  1. Latinsub
  2. Latinsub-
  3. Englishsub-
  4. Englishoptimization
  5. Englishsuboptimization

From sub- + optimization.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

suboptimization. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/suboptimization

MLA

“suboptimization.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/suboptimization. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “suboptimization,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/suboptimization.

Source: suboptimization on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.