pivotal
Americanadjective
-
of, involving, or acting as a pivot
-
of crucial importance
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of pivotal
Explanation
High school graduation is a pivotal moment in most people's lives — an important point that signifies a shift in direction. You see the word pivot in pivotal. That is because when something is pivotal, it is central, and everything related to the topic turns or depends on it. An election can be a pivotal moment in a nation's history if the direction the country takes depends on it. Your belief in reincarnation may be pivotal to how you treat animals. Pivotal means important, but it has the sense of centrality and turning.
Vocabulary lists containing pivotal
ASVAB Word Knowledge
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This Week in Words: September 25 - October 1, 2017
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Unit 2: Pivotal Words and Phrases
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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.
And it has also brought the promise of a "point of difference" in attack as they prepare for a potentially pivotal first match.
From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026
The timing of the album’s release is also pivotal to its history.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 12, 2026
Instead the author skillfully identifies pivotal moments in Mr. Brady’s life and explores how each particular plot twist reveals something about the man.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026
Speaking last month, Kevin Moreley, a former managing director of the Rover Group, said the Type 01 would be a pivotal moment for the firm.
From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026
Mama, I know this might sound dramatic, but this mission has been the pivotal moment in my life.
From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
