critical mass

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In the modern music industry, with listening splintered across various streaming services and social-media platforms, it’s hard to write any song, much less a protest song, that reaches a critical mass of listeners.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 10, 2026

And male monopolies on power tend to be self-perpetuating: Only when a critical mass of women run and win does it begin to feel possible that women can run for office and win.

From Slate • Nov. 22, 2025

“What is less obvious is whether that will create the critical mass necessary to overcome the obstacles standing in the way of sports betting in the states that have yet to authorize it.”

From Barron's • Nov. 12, 2025

The Epstein saga, which seemed to be old news at the beginning of this year, is approaching a self-sustaining critical mass that will be difficult for anyone, no matter how well-connected or influential, to contain.

From BBC • Sep. 10, 2025

The critical mass of plutonium would not stay together long enough to create a massive atomic explosion.

From "Bomb" by Steve Sheinkin