criterion

noun

cri·​te·​ri·​on krī-ˈtir-ē-ən How to pronounce criterion (audio)
 also  krə-
plural criteria krī-ˈtir-ē-ə How to pronounce criterion (audio)
 also  krə-
also criterions
1
: a standard on which a judgment or decision may be based
the university's criteria for admission
2
: a characterizing mark or trait
Is criteria singular or plural?: Usage Guide

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.

Did you know?

One person's principal criterion for a new car may be its gas mileage, while someone else's may be whether it has room for four children. When filling a job opening, employers usually look for several criteria (notice the plural form) in the applicants; and when college admissions officers are reading student applications, they likewise always keep a few basic criteria in mind. And when interviewing an applicant, one criterion for both the employer and the admissions officer might include the size of the applicant's vocabulary!

Choose the Right Synonym for criterion

standard, criterion, gauge, yardstick, touchstone mean a means of determining what a thing should be.

standard applies to any definite rule, principle, or measure established by authority.

standards of behavior

criterion may apply to anything used as a test of quality whether formulated as a rule or principle or not.

questioned the critic's criteria for excellence

gauge applies to a means of testing a particular dimension (such as thickness, depth, diameter) or figuratively a particular quality or aspect.

polls as a gauge of voter dissatisfaction

yardstick is an informal substitute for criterion that suggests quantity more often than quality.

housing construction as a yardstick of economic growth

touchstone suggests a simple test of the authenticity or value of something intangible.

fine service is one touchstone of a first-class restaurant

Examples of criterion in a Sentence

There is really only one criterion for a grab bag of culinary facts and anecdotes like this: It has to make you look up occasionally and remark, "Hey! I never knew that." Laura Shapiro, New York Times Book Review, 25 Dec. 1994
… the induction committee waived its normal five-year retirement criteria for fear Kelley might never retire. Todd Balf, Yankee, 4 Apr. 1992
Christo argues that art must be measured by its effect on the shape of a community. By this criterion Running Fence was enormously successful. O. B. Hardison, Jr., Disappearing Through the Skylight, 1989
What were the criteria used to choose the winner? one criterion for grading these essays will be their conformity to the rules of traditional grammar
Recent Examples on the Web Meta House's plans meet the special use criteria of protecting public safety and health, and do not raise concerns about nearby property values or traffic impact, said Sam Leichtling, city planning manager. Tom Daykin, Journal Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2024 Hipgnosis Songs Fund said the new valuation was based on a range of criteria, including whether a catalog was made up of publisher, writer, producer or artist’s share of rights royalties. Richard Smirke, Billboard, 4 Mar. 2024 CPAs obtain a bachelor’s degree, pass the Uniform CPA Exam, meet specific experience requirements, and fulfill state-specific educational criteria. Bryce Welker, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2024 The next year, the concept of using neurological criteria to determine death was supported by the Harvard Ad Hoc Committee and the World Medical Assembly. Brian Murphy, Washington Post, 2 Mar. 2024 Missing from the criteria are those with medical needs. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 2 Mar. 2024 Issued in 1998 as a response to the growing prevalence of flammable materials, its criteria include that vertical flames spread less than 10 feet (3 meters) above the window opening in the test, and that lateral flames spread less than 5 feet (1.5 meters) from the centerline of the window opening. Alex Christian, WIRED, 1 Mar. 2024 In 2022, both House Bill 2492 and HB 2243 were approved by the Arizona Legislature, enhancing the criteria for voter citizenship and determining their eligibility and methods of participation in state elections. The Arizona Republic, 1 Mar. 2024 Qualification To qualify for an E-2 Visa, applicants must fulfill several criteria. Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'criterion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Greek kritḗrion, from kri-, variant stem of krī́nein "to separate, choose, decide, judge" + -tērion, suffix of instruments — more at certain entry 1

First Known Use

1622, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of criterion was in 1622

Dictionary Entries Near criterion

Cite this Entry

“Criterion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/criterion. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

criterion

noun
cri·​te·​ri·​on krī-ˈtir-ē-ən How to pronounce criterion (audio)
plural criteria
-ē-ə
: a standard on which a judgment or decision may be based

More from Merriam-Webster on criterion

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