critical mass

noun

: a size, number, or amount large enough to produce a particular result
the critical mass of activity needed for a retail store

Examples of critical mass in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That may change when the software hits the critical mass that the general release brings with it. David Phelan, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024 For one thing, the thumping the ruling LDP took on Sunday suggests a critical mass of Japan’s 125 million people are alarmed by the state of the economy. William Pesek, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024 In its nascent days, the EV charging industry has rightfully placed a focus on quantity, building a critical mass of public chargers to ease range anxiety and drive EV adoption. Andrew Cornelia, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2024 This is one of the remaining barriers to crypto and spot ETFs achieving critical mass. Lawrence Wintermeyer, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for critical mass 

Word History

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of critical mass was in 1947

Dictionary Entries Near critical mass

Cite this Entry

“Critical mass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/critical%20mass. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on critical mass

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!