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

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Example Sentences

"We were deeply dismayed by the lack of seriousness shown by some executive colleagues during this critical period, including persistent briefing against others and the leaking of confidential information."

From BBC

According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s 2016 report, "Building Blocks to Help Youth Achieve Financial Capability," middle childhood — ages 6 to 12 — is a critical period when children develop foundational knowledge and habits that shape their future financial behaviors, making early education essential for building lifelong financial capability.

From Salon

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

From Science Daily

But the critical period leading up to Snowball Earth was thought to be missing because the rock layers were eroded by the big freeze.

From BBC

Elias is the first to date the rock layers and identify them as from the critical period that is missing from all other rock formations in all other parts of the world.

From BBC

Related Words

• climax
• critical point
• crux
• culmination
• juncture
• twist