Meaning & use
criterion
Last updated
A standard or principle by which something is judged or decided.
See it in a sentence
Experience was the main criterion for selecting the new manager.
The judges applied several criteria to score each entry fairly.
A note on using this word
'Criterion' is singular; its plural form is 'criteria,' and using 'criteria' to mean a single standard is a common mistake.
Words with a similar meaning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “criterion”, then compare your use with the examples above.