1
a
: of the utmost importance
a vital clue
vital resources
b
: fundamentally concerned with or affecting life or living beings: such as
(1)
: tending to renew or refresh the living : invigorating
(2)
: destructive to life : mortal
2
a
: concerned with or necessary to the maintenance of life
vital organs
blood and other vital fluids
b
: existing as a manifestation of life
3
: full of life and vigor : animated
4
: characteristic of life or living beings
5
: recording data relating to lives
6
: of, relating to, or constituting the staining of living tissues
Synonyms
Examples of vital in a Sentence
These matters are vital to national defense.
The sciences are a vital part of the school curriculum.
your heart, lungs, and other vital organs
Exercise keeps her young and vital.
Recent Examples on the Web
Under the strategic direction of Soleimani, the IRGC’s Quds Force, along with Iraqi Shiite armed groups, began constructing a vital land bridge to transport supplies, weapons, and personnel from Iran and Iraq into Syria.
—
Renad Mansour, Foreign Affairs, 13 Nov. 2024
Upcoming: November 12th – Wild Hope, Wildlife Corridors, and Citizen Science Learn how citizen scientists and experts are working together to identify and protect vital wildlife corridors, and how you can get involved in conservation efforts.
—Bob Hirshon, Discover Magazine, 8 Nov. 2024
Subscribe to Axios Latino to get vital news about U.S. Latinos and Latin America.
—Astrid Galván, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024
The View cohost and Oscar-winning actress delivered a vital message of information to Americans heading to the polls on Tuesday morning, capping a historic political cycle with a pearl of wisdom for those trapped in long lines at their local voting places.
—EW.com, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for vital 
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Renad Mansour, Foreign Affairs, 13 Nov. 2024
Upcoming: November 12th – Wild Hope, Wildlife Corridors, and Citizen Science Learn how citizen scientists and experts are working together to identify and protect vital wildlife corridors, and how you can get involved in conservation efforts.
—Bob Hirshon, Discover Magazine, 8 Nov. 2024
Subscribe to Axios Latino to get vital news about U.S. Latinos and Latin America.
—Astrid Galván, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024
The View cohost and Oscar-winning actress delivered a vital message of information to Americans heading to the polls on Tuesday morning, capping a historic political cycle with a pearl of wisdom for those trapped in long lines at their local voting places.
—EW.com, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for vital
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Dictionary Entries Near vital
Cite this Entry
“Vital.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vital. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
vital
adjective
vi·tal
ˈvīt-ᵊl 
1
: concerned with or necessary to the continuation of life
the heart and lungs are vital organs
2
: full of vitality : animated
3
: characteristic of life or of living things
vital activities
4
: destructive of life : fatal
a vital wound
5
: of first importance
a vital clue
Etymology
Middle English vital "alive, full of life, relating to life," from Latin vitalis "of life," from vita "life"
Medical Definition
vital
adjective
vi·tal
ˈvīt-ᵊl
1
a
: existing as a manifestation of life
b
: concerned with or necessary to the maintenance of life
vital organs
blood and other vital fluids
2
: characteristic of life or living beings
vital activities
3
: recording data relating to lives
vital records
4
: of, relating to, or constituting the staining of living tissues
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