pivotal — UK US /ˈpɪvətəl/ adjective ► if something is pivotal, it is very important because other things depend on it: a pivotal moment/point »The speech marked a pivotal moment in the World Bank s history. »Because immigrants do jobs that many people do… … Financial and business terms
Pivotal — Piv ot*al, a. Of or pertaining to a pivot or turning point; belonging to, or constituting, a pivot; of the nature of a pivot; as, the pivotalopportunity of a career; the pivotal position in a battle. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
pivotal — index cardinal (basic), causative, central (essential), critical (crucial), crucial, decisive … Law dictionary
pivotal — 1844, in figurative sense, from PIVOT (Cf. pivot) + AL (Cf. al) (1) … Etymology dictionary
pivotal — *central, focal Analogous words: *essential, cardinal, vital: important, significant, momentous (see corresponding nouns at IMPORTANCE): capital, principal, *chief … New Dictionary of Synonyms
pivotal — [adj] important cardinal, central, climactic, critical, crucial, decisive, determining, essential, focal, middle, momentous, overriding, overruling, principal, ruling, vital; concept 568 Ant. inconsequential, unimportant, unsubstantial … New thesaurus
pivotal — ► ADJECTIVE 1) fixed on or as if on a pivot. 2) of crucial or central importance … English terms dictionary
pivotal — [piv′ət l] adj. 1. of or acting as a pivot 2. on which something turns or depends; central, crucial, critical, etc. pivotally adv … English World dictionary
pivotal — piv|ot|al [ pıvətl ] adjective 1. ) extremely important and affecting how something develops: a pivotal moment in the history of the Egyptian state He played a pivotal role in the negotiations. a pivotal figure/player in U.S. politics pivotal to … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
pivotal — UK [ˈpɪvət(ə)l] / US adjective 1) extremely important and affecting how something develops a pivotal moment in the history of the Egyptian state He played a pivotal role in the negotiations. a pivotal figure/player in US politics pivotal to: He… … English dictionary