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critical mass

[krit-i-kuhl mas]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Physics.��the amount of a given fissionable material necessary to sustain a chain reaction at a constant rate.
The critical mass for a bomb based on uranium fission is different than that for plutonium fission.
an amount necessary or sufficient to have a significant effect or to achieve a result.
a critical mass of popular support.

critical mass

noun

the minimum mass of fissionable material that can sustain a nuclear chain reaction
the minimum amount of money or number of people required to start or sustain an operation, business, process, etc
the critical mass for a subscription digital sports channel

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Word History and Origins

Origin of critical mass¹

First recorded in 1940–45

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

It also wanted to require Harvard to pay for outside review through 2028 of the school’s “viewpoint diversity” and hire a “critical mass of new faculty” if it is not found to be sufficiently diverse.

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Sometimes it’s hard to know the difference right off, but a critical mass of legit opposition is bigger and broader than a vetocracy.

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"We are running off a critical mass of generational talent right now."

From

Friedman, who authored the 2022 parking law when she served in the state Legislature, said the army of Shoup adherents provided a critical mass of support as she tried to move the bill forward.

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Most of those positive reviews appeared before the torrent of objections from Mexico gathered critical mass.

From

critically endangered critical mineral

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