Definition of "pivotal" []

• Of, relating to, or serving as a pivot. (adjective)
• Being of vital or central importance; crucial: "Its pivotal location has also exposed it to periodic invasions” ( Henry A. Kissinger). (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "SNOW (voice-over): Senator Joseph Lieberman thanked Hispanic clergymen for endorsing him in what he called a pivotal moment of his difficult campaign."
• "MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Senator Joseph Lieberman thanked Hispanic clergymen for endorsing him in what he called a pivotal moment in his difficult campaign."
• "Bob Sloan, a hedge fund risk management adviser at S3 Partners, said he was riveted by the television all day to watch what he described as a pivotal point for Wall Street."