piv·ot·al

[piv-uh-tl]
adjective
1.
of, pertaining to, or serving as a pivot.
2.
of vital or critical importance: a pivotal event.

Origin:
1835–45; pivot + -al1

piv·ot·al·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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World English Dictionary
pivotal (ˈpɪvətəl) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
adj
1.  of, involving, or acting as a pivot
2.  of crucial importance
 
'pivotally
 
adv

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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00:10
Pivotal is always a great word to know.
So is bezoar. Does it mean:
a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison.
a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal.
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

pivotal
1844, in figurative sense, from pivot.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
Education is pivotal in resolving Brazil's corruption and unequal development.
The summer the book came out was a pivotal time for her, career-wise.
Sheer, cussed consistency has earned him a pivotal role.
Food has also played a pivotal role in wars from ancient times to the last
  century.
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