criterion

American  

[krahy-teer-ee-uhn] / kraɪˈtɪər i ən /

Rarely criterium

noun

criteria, plural criterions plural

1. a standard of judgment or criticism; a rule or principle for evaluating or testing something.

   Synonyms:

   yardstick, touchstone, measure

---

criterion British  

/ kraɪˈtɪərɪən /

noun

1. a standard by which something can be judged or decided

2. philosophy a defining characteristic of something

---

Usage

Like some other nouns borrowed from the Greek, criterion has both a Greek plural, criteria, and a plural formed on the English pattern, criterions. However, the -s plural is rarely used; the plural ending in -a is the usual form: These are the criteria for the selection of candidates. Though criteria is properly a plural noun, it is increasingly used as a singular noun, most often in speech but also occasionally in edited prose: One criteria is that the candidate must be over 18. This use of criteria as a singular noun is generally considered incorrect.

Criteria, the plural of criterion, is not acceptable as a singular noun: this criterion is not valid; these criteria are not valid

Synonym Usage

See standard.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• criterial
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• criteria
  plural
• criterions
  plural

Etymology

Origin of criterion

First recorded in 1605–15; from Greek kritḗrion “a standard,” equivalent to kri- variant stem of krī́nein “to separate, decide” + -tērion neuter suffix of means (akin to Latin -tōrium -tory ² )

Explanation

A criterion is a standard for judging something. If you are holding a cupcake competition, your number one criterion might be the smoothness of frosting. A criterion is a category for judging, but can also be a prerequisite for an achievement. It might be an application requirement for a teaching job that you have taught already for two years. If you haven’t, then we say you haven’t "met the criterion" for job experience. Likewise, if you establish the model for something, say you deliver an exciting, profound graduation speech, we might say you "set the criterion" for future speakers.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

criterion criteria criterions

And allowing the runner-up to pick up the baton after the winner withdrew would be a simple criterion for the party to move forward.

From Slate ● Jul. 7, 2026

However, Pfizer said it is confident in the vaccine’s potential, noting that this criterion was met in the second pre-specified analysis and the clinically meaningful efficacy demonstrated in the trial.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 23, 2026

However, few enough stocks passed the screen that we excluded this criterion.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 3, 2025

Boxer emphasizes that voters should evaluate whether lawmakers are motivated by genuine purpose and demonstrate capability to serve rather than relying solely on age as a criterion for removal.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 26, 2025

He was groping towards Right as a criterion of its own—towards Justice as an abstract thing which did not lean upon power.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White

They say that: "If only one or two stations reach heatwave criteria, that would not be defined as a heatwave."

From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2026

“That one piece of criteria is often the one that beats everything else.”

From Salon ● Jul. 24, 2026

Since the 2010s, UC has also updated its course criteria to match statewide academic standards, such as Common Core math standards and Next Generation Science Standards.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026

Two stars denote restaurants that do "excellent cooking" and are "worth a detour", according to Michelin's criteria.

From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026

He presents unusual criteria in what he is looking for.

From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern

For every provisional synthesis then the time must come when the apparition of truth can no longer command united allegiance, and criterions begin to encroach upon sanctions.

From Science and Medieval Thought The Harveian Oration Delivered Before the Royal College of Physicians, October 18, 1900 by Allbutt, Sir Thomas Clifford

Consequently it has become evident that the four criterions or standards of judgment by which the human mind reaches its conclusions are faulty and inaccurate.

From Foundations of World Unity by `Abdu'l-Bahá

For a few words of this class, however, there are double plurals in use; as, automata or atomatons, criteria or criterions, parhelia or parhelions; and the plural of phenomenon appears to be always phenomena.

From The Grammar of English Grammars by Brown, Goold

They look deeper, and find other criterions whereby to judge.

From The Young Man's Guide by Alcott, William A. (William Andrus)

The proprietor wishes particularly to impress upon the overseer the criterions by which he will judge of his usefullness and capacity.

From American Negro Slavery A Survey of the Supply, Employment and Control of Negro Labor as Determined by the Plantation Regime by Phillips, Ulrich Bonnell

Related Words

• benchmark
• norm
• precedent
• principle
• proof
• touchstone
• yardstick