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 peak is the critical mass. — Paul Sutter, Space.com, 9 June 2026 England’s critical mass at the Oval was all wrong. — Nasser Hussain, New York Times, 23 June 2026 Real change is a co-creation with a critical mass of community members. — Penny Abeywardena, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026 Yet by skirting and at times ignoring those rules, ride-sharing companies were able to acquire a critical mass of users in a short period of time. — Benjamin Mazer, The Atlantic, 17 June 2026 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

Rhymes for critical mass

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Browse Nearby Words

critically
critical mass
criticalness
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Cite this Entry

“Critical mass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/critical%20mass. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on critical mass

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about critical mass

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