critical thinking

noun

1

: the act or practice of thinking critically (as by applying reason and questioning assumptions) in order to solve problems, evaluate information, discern biases, etc.

Today, what we call the Socratic method is a way of teaching that fosters critical thinking, in part by encouraging students to question their own unexamined beliefs, as well as the received wisdom of those around them.

—Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt

2

: the set of skills, methods, etc. involved in critical thinking

Media literacy enlivens how our schools teach critical thinking by serving as a bridge between the classroom and the world in which our young people live most of their waking lives.

—Wally Bowen

Using the same skills used for centuries—analysis, synthesis, and evaluation—we must look at digital literacy as another realm within which to apply elements of critical thinking.

—Barbara Jones-Kavalier and Suzanne Flannigan

—sometimes hyphenated when used before another noun

Helping students develop critical-thinking skills and information literacy is one of the core missions of libraries everywhere.

—Nancy Pearl

Examples of critical thinking in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The future of work requires critical thinking, creativity and adaptability. —Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026

Without clear communication and boundaries, Clark said remote monitoring could not only do harm to parent-child relationships but also prevent the development of independent, critical thinking in young adults. —Avni Trivedi, CNN Money, 15 June 2026

Angstman sees his job as critical to equipping students with critical thinking about future policy and climate issues. —Andrea Steffes-Tuttle, Denver Post, 12 June 2026

In cases like Anthony’s, people choose sides very early, and then quickly suspend reasoning and empathy and critical thinking. —Jack Crosbie, Rolling Stone, 12 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1815, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for critical thinking

• blinking
• clinking
• drinking
• inking
• kinking
• linking
• shrinking
• sinking
• slinking
• stinking
• winking
• freethinking