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Synonyms

critical period

British  

noun

  1. psychol a period in a lifetime during which a specific stage of development usually occurs. If it fails to do so, it cannot readily occur afterwards

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Some scientists said that infancy can be a critical period to shape the microbiome, and potentially prevent disease and improve health later on.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 3, 2026

The authorities at the park say additional monitoring and protection measures have been put in place to ensure the twins' survival during this critical period.

From BBC • Jan. 7, 2026

The trajectory of the market will depend on where costs are during a critical period beginning in late January.

From Barron's • Jan. 6, 2026

Scientists have struggled to understand how stars spiraling together during this critical period affects the stars' subsequent evolution.

From Science Daily • Nov. 19, 2024

A nice preparation for the critical period of teething!

From A Manual of Toy Dogs How to breed, rear, and feed them by Williams, Mrs. Leslie

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.