PIVOTAL

Pronunciation (US):

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does pivotal mean? 

• PIVOTAL (adjective)
  The adjective PIVOTAL has 1 sense:

1. being of crucial importance

  Familiarity information: PIVOTAL used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PIVOTAL (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Being of crucial importance

Synonyms:

pivotal; polar

Context example:

a polar principal

Similar:

crucial; important (of extreme importance; vital to the resolution of a crisis)

Derivation:

pivot (the person in a rank around whom the others wheel and maneuver)

 Context examples 

The Cdc2-cyclin B kinase is pivotal in regulating this transition.

(G2/M Checkpoint Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/BIOCARTA)

The mate, Johansen, stood away several feet to the side of him, and fully three yards in front of him sat Wolf Larsen on one of the pivotal cabin chairs.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

It is thought to play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of asthma.

(Interleukin-5, NCI Thesaurus)

A clinical research protocol generally referred to as a well-controlled and pivotal trial that aims to prove the mechanism of action of the new intervention in question.

(Phase IIb Trial, NCI Thesaurus)

A friend could also be quite pivotal in unlocking your creativity.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

Two cell cycle kinases, CDK4/6-cyclin D and CDK2-cyclin E, and the transcription complex that includes Rb and E2F are pivotal in controlling this checkpoint.

(G1/S Checkpoint Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/BIOCARTA)

Peldesine inhibits purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) that plays a pivotal role in T-cell proliferation and is responsible for the catalysis of the reversible phosphorolytic cleavage of purine ribonucleosides and 2'-deoxyribonucleosides.

(Peldesine, NCI Thesaurus)

The intracellular NOD-like receptor (NLR) family contains more than 20 members in mammals and plays a pivotal role in the recognition of intracellular ligands.

(NOD-Like Receptor Signaling Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/KEGG)

This gene plays a pivotal role in erythropoiesis.

(EPOR Gene, NCI Thesaurus)

Since that pivotal discovery, some scientists have raised questions about how such a grid would protect itself from damage to the muscle cells.

(Researchers discover mitochondrial “circuit breaker” that protects heart from damage, NIH)