pivotal

adjective

piv·​ot·​al ˈpi-və-tᵊl 

1

: of, relating to, or constituting a pivot

2

: vitally important : critical

pivotally

ˈpi-və-tᵊl-ē 

adverb

Synonyms of pivotal

• crucial
• key
• critical
• vital

Examples of pivotal in a Sentence

She is at a pivotal point in her career.

the report was missing a pivotal piece of information

Recent Examples on the Web

In the 1980s, the late political strategist Clint Reilly was among the first political consultants to use voter roll data to segment and target pivotal voters for turnout and persuasion. — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026

After playing a shadowy superspy on GH, Oliver’s role on the Peacock soap looks to be decidedly less glamorous — though potentially just as pivotal. — Josef Adalian, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026

Drunken dragonrider Ulf the White's rage proves pivotal Debaucherous dragonrider Ulf White (Tom Bennett) stumbles into playing a major role in the final battle with his dragon Silverwing. — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026

Patients with these conditions were largely excluded from the pivotal GLP-1 trials. — Jesse M. Pines, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

pivotal

adjective

piv·​ot·​al ˈpiv-ət-ᵊl 

1

: of, relating to, or functioning as a pivot

2

: extremely important : critical

a pivotal discovery

pivotally

-ᵊl-ē 

adverb