Noun: critical mass kri-ti-kul mas
- The minimum mass of fissionable material that can sustain a chain reaction
"The nuclear reactor reached critical mass and began producing energy"
- The minimum amount (of something) required to start or maintain a venture
"they sold the business because it lacked critical mass"; "the battle for the computer market has now reached critical mass"; "there is now a critical mass of successful women to take the lead"
Derived forms: critical masses
Encyclopedia: Critical mass