critical point
A 'critical point' varies in meaning across disciplines, from mathematics and thermodynamics to general decision-making scenarios.
Definition
C1Thermodynamics
(technical, scientific)The specific temperature and pressure where the gas and liquid phases of a substance become indistinguishable.
Example
- At the critical point, water transforms into a supercritical fluid.
B2Mathematics
(technical, academic)A point on a graph where the derivative of a function is zero or undefined, indicating a local maximum, minimum, or saddle point.
Example
- Finding the critical points of a function helps in identifying its local extrema.
B1General
(common, informal)A decisive moment where an important decision must be made.
Example
- The negotiations reached a critical point where a decision had to be made.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "critical point":
extreme pointbreaking pointtriple pointinflection pointtransition pointsaddle pointcritical massturning pointfixed pointpoint masscontrol pointdouble pointsticking pointhit pointtipping pointaction pointflash pointdeep pointpressure pointpinch pointtrig pointtrigger pointprice pointhigh pointbursting pointpivot pointboiling pointdata pointtake pointbiting pointrun pointaxial pointpoint of no return