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
Independent sit-down restaurants that opened there often did so in isolated retail strips or standalone buildings rather than building toward a critical mass of similarly minded operators that can help draw diners to an area in the first place.
—
Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2026
Those additions aimed to boost engagement but never reached critical mass.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 2026
But the rail network is still struggling to attract a critical mass of new riders and draw drivers out of their cars, in part because the region is so sprawling and key areas, such as West Hollywood, have been left out.
—National Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
Experts are gaming out scenarios in which civilian protests reach a critical mass and one or more branches of the security apparatus—the Revolutionary Guard, the Basij militia, the regular army—break away from the regime.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for critical mass
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Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2026
Those additions aimed to boost engagement but never reached critical mass.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 2026
But the rail network is still struggling to attract a critical mass of new riders and draw drivers out of their cars, in part because the region is so sprawling and key areas, such as West Hollywood, have been left out.
—National Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
Experts are gaming out scenarios in which civilian protests reach a critical mass and one or more branches of the security apparatus—the Revolutionary Guard, the Basij militia, the regular army—break away from the regime.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for critical mass
Cite this Entry
“Critical mass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/critical%20mass. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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