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pivotal

American  
[piv-uh-tl] / ˈpɪv ə tl /

adjective

  1. of, relating to, or serving as a pivot.

  2. of vital or critical importance.

    a pivotal event.
pivotal British  
/ ˈpɪvətəl /

adjective

  1. of, involving, or acting as a pivot

  2. of crucial importance

"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

Other Word Forms

  • pivotally adverb

Etymology

Origin of pivotal

First recorded in 1835–45; pivot + -al 1

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.

GH and the regulator still have to agree on the design of the pivotal trial.

From MarketWatch

Markets are focused on incoming U.S. labor data, which is likely to be pivotal in shaping expectations ahead of the Fed’s January meeting, they note.

From The Wall Street Journal

I always tell myself that my stunts in those films were pivotal moments in the story.

From BBC

Indiana’s defense established its dominance during a pivotal stretch in the second quarter when Alabama could not afford to let the Hoosiers stretch their lead.

From Los Angeles Times

BBC Sport understands the growing expectation is for the deal to be completed, but the talks will be pivotal towards the transfer's successful progression.

From BBC

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.