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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.

Even so, scientists still lack a complete understanding of how the brain's complex networks are shaped during this critical period.

From Science Daily • Jan. 16, 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

Lingering distortions might make it harder for investors and policymakers to track inflation during a critical period when many are hyperfocused on how big changes to trade, immigration and fiscal policy are affecting the economy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 18, 2025

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 • Aug. 15, 2024

During the most critical period of the work the structure visibly moved, and the apex of the spire now leans 3ft. 5in. out of the perpendicular towards the north-west.

From Ecclesiastical Curiosities by Various

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.