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Glite Dictionary
criticality

criticality

4 9.1
The point when a system becomes unstable and keeps going on its own, for example a nuclear reactor
  • noun
  • /ˌkrɪtɪˈkælɪti/
  • Specialized
translation icon : criticidad
  • Over the past decade, the concept of environmental criticality has captured the interest of the scientific community.
  • self-organized criticality
  • criticality accident
  • criticality and vulnerability

Examples

  • What is so prescient in these comments is Cohen's early understanding of the criticality of learning objectives, currently the keystone for assessing student learning.

    Academic text (2007)

  • The scientists monitored the criticality of the nuclear reaction to ensure safety.

  • There is the possibility that the power plant can reach the state of criticality again.

    Blog text (12)

  • The clash between the different factions highlights the criticality of this time period.

    Academic text (2016)

  • Our research provides some indication of the criticality of investigating stakeholder influence.

    Academic text (2017)

  • In crisis management, understanding the criticality of each decision can save lives.

  • The report outlined the criticality of addressing climate change immediately.

Synonyms

critical mass
vscriticality
19 5.6

Enough people or support for something to start and keep going

is broader, describing the quality of being at that dangerous threshold
critical point
vscriticality
9 5.3

A moment when people must make an important decision

describes the ongoing condition or threshold rather than a single moment
pivotal point
vscriticality
2 4.9

A moment when an important change happens or people make a key decision

covers overall critical condition, not only that decisive turning moment
critical state
vscriticality
1 6.6

A situation that needs attention right away because it is very serious

stresses also the moment when the situation becomes unstable or self sustaining
momentousness
vscriticality
  • Formal
1 7.9

Being very important and likely to have big effects

focuses more on reaching an unstable or self sustaining tipping point
criticalness
vscriticality
7.9

A situation that is so important it needs quick action

is the same idea but also names technical thresholds and instability
cruciality
vscriticality
8.2

The great importance of something for a result or decision

adds the idea of reaching a dangerous or self sustaining threshold

Antonyms

stability
363 3.1

Being steady and not likely to change

How Critical

catastrophic
144 7.0
runaway
74 5.2
criticality
  • Specialized
4 9.1
stability
363 3.1

Surface Forms

criticality singular
criticalities plural

Morphology

criticality = critical (semi-transparent) = critic + al + ity

The noun is regularly formed from 'critical' with '-ity' to mean a state or quality, but the technical sense of a critical point in physics is more specialized.

Etymology

The word criticality comes from an old Greek root crit- that means 'to judge', the same root you see in critic and critical. Today criticality often means a 'tipping point', the moment when something becomes crucial, unstable, or able to keep going on its own, so the origin helps you remember it is a decision or turning point.