Definition of "Critical" :

adjective: marked by a tendency to find and call attention to errors and flaws

"A critical attitude."

adjective: characterized by careful evaluation and judgment

"A critical reading."

adjective: being in or verging on a state of crisis or emergency

"A critical shortage of food."

adjective: at or of a point at which a property or phenomenon suffers an abrupt change especially having enough mass to sustain a chain reaction

"A critical temperature of water is 100 degrees C--its boiling point at standard atmospheric pressure."

adjective: forming or having the nature of a turning point or crisis

"A critical point in the campaign."

adjective: urgently needed; absolutely necessary

"A critical element of the plan."

adjective: of or involving or characteristic of critics or criticism

"Critical acclaim."