critical
adjective
crit·i·cal
ˈkri-ti-kəl 
1
a
: inclined to criticize severely and unfavorably
Don't be so critical. This is just a first attempt.
They were critical of the new policies.
c
: exercising or involving careful judgment or judicious evaluation
critical thinking
a critical commentary on the mayor's proposal
d
: including variant readings and scholarly emendations
a critical edition
2
a
: of, relating to, or being a turning point or specially important juncture
a critical decision
: such as
(1)
: being or relating to an illness or condition involving danger of death
critical care
hospitalized with a critical illness
The driver sustained critical injuries.
also
: relating to or being the stage of a disease at which an abrupt change for better or worse may be expected
the critical phase of dengue fever
see also critical condition
(2)
: relating to or being a state, measurement, or point in or at which some quality, property, or phenomenon suffers a definite change
critical temperature
b
: indispensable, vital
a critical waterfowl habitat
a component critical to the machine's operation
c
: being in or approaching a state of crisis
a critical shortage
a critical situation
3
a
: of sufficient size to sustain a chain reaction
—used of a mass of fissionable material
a critical mass
b
: sustaining a nuclear chain reaction
The reactor went critical.
critically
adverb
a critically ill patient
The author's texts were examined critically.
criticalness
noun
How early winter arrives will determine the criticalness of planting date.
—
Ed Lentz
Ed Lentz
Synonyms
Examples of critical in a Sentence
The program presents a critical analysis of the government's strategies.
She has a talent for critical thinking.
We need to look at these proposed changes with a critical eye before we accept them.
Recent Examples on the Web
Asian Americans in particular have emerged as a critical part of the electorate, now making up about a quarter of the district’s population as its largest minority group.
—Kimmy Yam, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024
Trump would go on to win the critical swing states of Michigan and Pennsylvania in his landslide victory.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024
Incident types are numbered 1-5 — a type 1 incident is a large, complex wildfire affecting people and critical infrastructure, a type 5 incident is a small wildfire with few personnel involved.
—Katie Langford, The Denver Post, 10 Nov. 2024
The Penguin’s critical and commercial success have surely led to a shift in focus for the burgeoning DC franchise.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for critical 
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Kimmy Yam, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024
Trump would go on to win the critical swing states of Michigan and Pennsylvania in his landslide victory.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024
Incident types are numbered 1-5 — a type 1 incident is a large, complex wildfire affecting people and critical infrastructure, a type 5 incident is a small wildfire with few personnel involved.
—Katie Langford, The Denver Post, 10 Nov. 2024
The Penguin’s critical and commercial success have surely led to a shift in focus for the burgeoning DC franchise.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for critical
Articles Related to critical
Dictionary Entries Near critical
Cite this Entry
“Critical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/critical. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
critical
adjective
crit·i·cal
ˈkrit-i-kəl
1
a
: inclined to criticize unfavorably
b
: consisting of or involving criticism or the judgments of critics
critical writings
c
: using or involving careful judgment
a critical examination of a patient
2
a
: of, relating to, or being a turning point
the critical phase of a fever
also
: being at a stage of illness involving danger of death
b
: being or relating to a state or point at which a definite change occurs
the critical temperature
c
: crucial sense 1
a critical test
3
: indispensable, vital
provides critical services
4
: of big enough size to keep a chain reaction going
—used of a mass of material that can go through fission
Medical Definition
critical
adjective
crit·i·cal
ˈkrit-i-kəl
1
: being or relating to an illness or condition involving danger of death
critical care
a critical head injury
see also critical condition
2
: relating to, indicating, or being the stage of a disease at which an abrupt change for better or worse may be anticipated with reasonable certainty
the critical phase of dengue fever
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