1
a
: important, significant
… what use we make of them will be the crucial question.—
Stanley Kubrick
Stanley KubrickVitamins are crucial for maintaining good health.
b
: important or essential as resolving a crisis : decisive
She played a crucial role in the negotiations.
c
: marked by final determination of a doubtful issue
the crucial game of a series
2
archaic
: cruciform
Examples of crucial in a Sentence
Vitamins are crucial for maintaining good health.
It's crucial that we arrive before 8 o'clock.
Teachers are crucial to the success of the school.
She played a crucial role in the meeting.
Recent Examples on the Web
Sleep Aid – Getting adequate rest is crucial for recovery.
—Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
The coordination is crucial since the NRAO operates the Green Bank Observatory in West Virginia, which is home to the world’s largest fully steerable radio telescope.
—Michael Kan, PCMAG, 12 Nov. 2024
Striking a balance between nostalgia and innovation is crucial for the chain to remain competitive.
—Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024
Fall prevention strategies and balance training are crucial and can help reduce the risk of fractures.
—Jianying Zhang, Discover Magazine, 8 Nov. 2024
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Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
The coordination is crucial since the NRAO operates the Green Bank Observatory in West Virginia, which is home to the world’s largest fully steerable radio telescope.
—Michael Kan, PCMAG, 12 Nov. 2024
Striking a balance between nostalgia and innovation is crucial for the chain to remain competitive.
—Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024
Fall prevention strategies and balance training are crucial and can help reduce the risk of fractures.
—Jianying Zhang, Discover Magazine, 8 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for crucial
Dictionary Entries Near crucial
Cite this Entry
“Crucial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crucial. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
crucial
adjective
cru·cial
ˈkrü-shəl 
1
: being a final or very important test or decision : decisive
the crucial game of a series
2
: very important : significant
water is a crucial element in our weather
crucially
adverb
ˈkrüsh-(ə-)lē
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