Definition of vital
1a
: of the utmost importance
a vital clue vital resources
b
: fundamentally concerned with or affecting life or living beings: such as
(1)
: tending to renew or refresh the living : invigorating
(2)
: destructive to life : mortal
2a
: concerned with or necessary to the maintenance of life
vital organs blood and other vital fluids
b
: existing as a manifestation of life
3
: full of life and vigor : animated
4
: characteristic of life or living beings
5
: recording data relating to lives
6
: of, relating to, or constituting the staining of living tissues
Test Your Vocabulary
Challenging Words You Should Know
-
- Often used to describe “the march of time,” what does inexorable mean?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share vital
Time Traveler for vital
The first known use of vital was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century