a standard by which something can be judged or decided
2. philosophy
a defining characteristic of something
▶ USAGE Criteria, the plural of criterion, is not acceptable as a singular noun: this criterion is not valid; these criteria are not valid
Word origin
C17: from Greek kritērion from kritēs judge, from krinein to decide
Examples of 'criteria' in a sentence
criteria
Talent is at the bottom of the list of criteria needed to become a pop star.
Shell, Ray ICED (2002)
Researchers set out some simple criteria and began their gargantuan task.
Tony Juniper SPIX'S MACAW: THE RACE TO SAVE THE WORLD'S RAREST BIRD (2002)
By these criteria nobody would ever want to be a manager.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
If you fail to meet their narrow criteria, out goes the rejection letter.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Thematic variety and panoptic inclusiveness are her leading criteria.
The Times Literary Supplement (2016)
But his system advanced no clear criteria for determining what did make a difference.
The Times Literary Supplement (2015)
However, a source at the retailer said the committee had followed the performance criteria.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
They are diagnosed according to a wide list of criteria.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
We like it a lot, but we don't quite have the same criteria.
Globe and Mail (2003)
It also appears that banks are continuing to relax their lending criteria.
Mail and Guardian (2011)
All related terms of 'criteria'
criterion
A criterion is a factor on which you judge or decide something.
entry criteria
A criterion is a factor on which you judge or decide something.
strict criteria
A criterion is a factor on which you judge or decide something.
certain criteria
A criterion is a factor on which you judge or decide something.
selection criteria
A criterion is a factor on which you judge or decide something.
Lawson criterion
the requirement that in order for the energy produced by fusion to exceed the energy expended in causing the fusion, the product of the density of the fuel and the time during which it is confined at that density ( Lawson product ) must be greater than a certain number that depends on the kind of fuel used