critical thinking

American  

[krit-i-kuhl thing-king] / ˈkrɪt ɪ kəl ˈθɪŋ kɪŋ /

noun

1. disciplined thinking that is clear, rational, open-minded, and informed by evidence.

   The questions are intended to develop your critical thinking.

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Etymology

Origin of critical thinking

First recorded in 1810–15

Example Sentences

In the 1980s and 1990s, the gripe was “stick to reading, writing and ‘rithmetic,” which implies hostility toward expanding those lessons to more complex ideas like literary analysis, critical thinking, and higher math and sciences.

From Salon • Mar. 30, 2026

"Predictably, our children will develop deep critical thinking, and independent reasoning abilities."

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

Because you are in an environment that is now suddenly overrun with a tremendous amount of A.I., and I worry about critical thinking skills.

From Slate • Mar. 22, 2026

To recommit to ideals that have made a strong liberal arts education foundational to American democracy: critical thinking, dialogue, pluralism, the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 21, 2026

The left hemisphere presides over rational, analytical and critical thinking.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan