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
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In a fragmented media world where critical mass is becoming harder to attain, Navarro has become one of media’s most recognizable political talking heads thanks to her two high-profile TV roles. Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026 Worst of all, like Zoolander 2 did before it, the film badly miscalculates the value of showbiz and industry cameos, which reach critical mass when the team members fly to Milan and, weirdly, only one of the latter (Donatella Versace, having an awkward lunch with Emily) seems to work. Damon Wise, Deadline, 29 Apr. 2026 When the enrichment level goes up to 60%, the critical mass drops down to about 42 kilograms. Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2026 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 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

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Cite this Entry

“Critical mass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/critical%20mass. Accessed 14 May. 2026.

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