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

The alien experts at UNIT (Unified Intelligence Taskforce) subsequently play a pivotal role in negotiations, as a lowly agent named Barclay (Russell Tovey) reluctantly enters talks with Sea Devil counterpart Salt (Gugu Mbatha-Raw). —Richard Edwards, Space.com, 27 Nov. 2025

Five takeaways from the Miami Heat’s 106-103 win over the Milwaukee Bucks (8-11) in a pivotal NBA Cup game on Wednesday night at Kaseya Center to extend its winning streak to six games and improve to 2-0 on its four-game homestand. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 27 Nov. 2025

Mazzulla singled out White’s chasedown steal against Jaden Ivey in the second quarter as one of the game’s pivotal plays. —Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 27 Nov. 2025

However, the episode is a pivotal one in the Ross and Rachel romantic saga, which keeps it from coming in last place. —Diana Pearl, PEOPLE, 26 Nov. 2025

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