epochal

[ep-uh-kuhl, ee-po-]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or of the nature of an epoch.

2. extremely important, significant, or influential.

Other Word Forms

• epochally adverb
• nonepochal adjective
• preepochal adjective
• unepochal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of epochal¹

First recorded in 1675–85; epoch + -al ¹

Example Sentences

"It feels like an epochal moment, and it also feels extraordinarily terrifying."

From BBC

He doesn’t just distract – he rewrites the story in real time, making the serious seem trivial, and the trivial seem epochal.

From Salon

Pember’s journalism and advocacy, along with that of a growing number of writers and activists, both Native and not, are making clear the scope and impact of one major pillar of this epochal injustice.

From Los Angeles Times

“One to One” spends no time rehashing Lennon’s professional highlights from that era — how his spare, epochal 1970 solo record “Plastic Ono Band” paved the way for the follow-up album “Imagine” about nine months later.

From Los Angeles Times

Clearly, we are at the threshold of epochal change.

From Salon

Related Words

• consequential 
• crucial 
• decisive 
• eventful 
• far-reaching 
• fateful 
• historic 
• meaningful 
• memorable 
• notable 
• pivotal 
• significant 
• weighty