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pivotal

[ piv-uh-tl ]

/ ˈpɪv ə tl /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR pivotal ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

of, relating to, or serving as a pivot.

of vital or critical importance: a pivotal event.

Origin of pivotal

First recorded in 1835–45; pivot + -al¹

OTHER WORDS FROM pivotal

piv·ot·al·ly, adverb

Words nearby pivotal

pivot, pivot bridge, pivot grammar, pivot joint, pivot tooth, pivotal, pivoting, pivotman, piwakawaka, pix, pixel

Example sentences from the Web for pivotal

The Barclays Center where the Duke and Duchess will be seated would have stood in thick of where the pivotal action transpired.

The British Royals Reinvade Brooklyn: William and Kate Come Watch Basketball on Historic Battle Site |Justin Jones |December 6, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
He was pivotal in the creation and survival of the Museum of Modern Art.

This Republican Loved Taxes & Modern Art |Scott Porch |November 19, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
A pivotal moment comes when Amir admits he felt more than a flicker of pride when fanatics attacked the Twin Towers.

Religion, Race, and a Broadway Hit: The Making of ‘Disgraced’ |Tim Teeman |November 10, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
“Carrie Bradshaw was so pivotal in creating the allure of the New York City woman,” Arora says.

How Brooklyn Invaded Paris—Next Stop, the World |Brandon Presser |October 23, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

The issues that currently favor Democrats are very likely to be pivotal ones come 2016.

Biggest Midterm Issue? The Obamaphant in the Living Room |Dean Obeidallah |September 7, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Gallagher was the pivotal witness against Ruef, as well as against Ford, then on trial.

'The System,' as uncovered by the San Francisco Graft Prosecution |Franklin Hichborn
Her pivotal foot slid; the other stabbed down in a wild effort to restore her balance.

We Can't Have Everything |Rupert Hughes
New York was believed to be the pivotal and the decisive State, and that its votes would determine the election for President.

The Facts of Reconstruction |John R. Lynch
Even the pivotal discovery of "internal respiration" is not original with Mr. Harris.

History of American Socialisms |John Humphrey Noyes
Cairo, he held to be the centre of the Mahomedan doctrine and the pivotal point of our great Mahomedan Imperium.

Gallipoli Diary, Volume 2 |Ian Hamilton

British Dictionary definitions for pivotal

pivotal

/ (ˈpɪvətəl) /

adjective

of, involving, or acting as a pivot

of crucial importance

Derived forms of pivotal

pivotally, adverb