Main Entry: cri·te·ri·on

Pronunciation: \krī-ˈtir-ē-ən also krə-\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural -ria \-ē-ə\ also cri·te·ri·ons

Etymology: Greek kritērion, from krinein to judge, decide — more at certain

Date: 1622

1 : a standard on which a judgment or decision may be based
2 : a characterizing mark or trait

synonyms see standard

usage The plural criteria has been used as a singular for over half a century <let me now return to the third criteria — R. M. Nixon> <that really is the criteria — Bert Lance>. Many of our examples, like the two foregoing, are taken from speech. But singular criteria is not uncommon in edited prose, and its use both in speech and writing seems to be increasing. Only time will tell whether it will reach the unquestioned acceptability of agenda.