critical mass

[krit-i-kuhl mas]

noun

1. Physics.,  the amount of a given fissionable material necessary to sustain a chain reaction at a constant rate.

   The critical mass for a bomb based on uranium fission is different than that for plutonium fission.

2. an amount necessary or sufficient to have a significant effect or to achieve a result.

   a critical mass of popular support.

critical mass

noun

1. the minimum mass of fissionable material that can sustain a nuclear chain reaction

2. the minimum amount of money or number of people required to start or sustain an operation, business, process, etc

   the critical mass for a subscription digital sports channel

Word History and Origins

Origin of critical mass¹

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

“What is less obvious is whether that will create the critical mass necessary to overcome the obstacles standing in the way of sports betting in the states that have yet to authorize it.”

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Streamers are looking for creative ways to stoke growth, and to prove to advertisers they have a critical mass of eyeballs worth pitching products to.

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As great as was his obsession with DNA, Watson’s pursuit of, and failure to obtain, female companionship was a matter of only marginally less critical mass.

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It has succeeded without fancy amenities, without large government subsidies, and without a “critical mass” of nonblack students to provide “diversity” in the classroom.

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“But at the same time the point of merging is to create synergies and to create the critical mass to carry large projects together.”

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