Word of the Day – Pivotal

Pivotal (adj)

piv-ot-al

Of crucial importance in relation to the development or success of something else.

Late Middle English from French, probably from the root of dialect pue ‘tooth of a comb’ and Spanish pu(y)a ‘point’. The verb dates from the mid 19th century.

Example sentences

“He was pivotal in instigating the reaction.”