Noun
the shorter or shortest axis of an ellipse or ellipsoid
Source: WordNetA beam may, for example, have an elliptical cross section, in which case the orientation of the beam diameter must be specified, for example with respect to the major or minor axis of the elliptical cross section. Source: Internet
The smaller of these two axes, and the smaller distance between antipodal points on the ellipse, is called the minor axis. Source: Internet
General use rescue carabiners are required to have minimum breaking strengths of 40 kN gate closed, 11 kN gate open and 11 kN minor axis. Source: Internet