A criterion is a factor on which you judge or decide something.
The most important criterion for entry is that applicants must design and make theirown work. [+ for]
British defence policy had to meet three criteria if it was to succeed.
Synonyms: standard, test, rule, measure More Synonyms of criterion
criterion in British English
(kraɪˈtɪərɪən)
nounWord forms: plural-ria (-rɪə) or -rions
1.
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
criterion in American English
(kraɪˈtɪriən)
nounWord forms: pluralcriˈteria (kraɪˈtɪriə) or criˈterions
a standard, rule, or test by which something can be judged; measure of value
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈstandard
Word origin
< Gr kritērion, means of judging < kritēs, judge; akin to kritikos: see critic
COBUILD Collocations
criterion
certain criteria
entry criteria
selection criteria
strict criteria
Examples of 'criterion' in a sentence
criterion
But the question of how to judge the criteria for military engagement remains the most difficult.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
You can only apply for those years in which you both meet the criteria.
The Sun (2016)
New entry criteria will have to be drawn up to determine who is allowed in.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
What are the criteria for entry?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
She was expected to return home against the family's wishes because she did not meet the criteria to join him.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Any criteria must reflect that.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
If a patient feels that they require this surgery but do not meet these criteria, there is a clear appeals system via individual funding requests.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Companies that do not meet all the criteria can be considered for our Ones to Watch programme.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Companies must meet our criteria, which include:?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It is not my ambition to see Russian athletes sitting outside our sport for the foreseeable future, but we have criteria that must be met.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This means the selection criteria have to be crystal clear.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
You can buy under either scheme so long as you both meet the eligibility criteria.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Why do they make the criteria so strict?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Essentially the procedure has been to try to quantify aspects of the policy criteria.
Yearley, Steven Science, Technology, and Social Change (1988)
When you are buying fish there are two important criteria that ought to be fulfilled.
Joanna Blythman SHOPPED: The Shocking Power of British Supermarkets (2004)
Space should not be the criteria which decides whether criminals get out.
The Sun (2006)
This is why career advisers say you should choose five universities with varying entry criteria.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The efficacy of these meditations cannot be judged by academic criteria.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
It was also the only facility within fifteen miles to meet those criteria.
Christianity Today (2000)
The top criteria must be for a leader capable of going on the front foot.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
This approach involves establishing selection and eligibility criteria and ensuring compatibility with other initiatives in a company.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
See website for eligibility criteria and full terms and conditions.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Three per cent said that being famous was the most important criterion for their career.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Some countries said the entry criteria were too strict.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The biggest hurdles were choosing which regiments to include and which criteria to judge them on.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Plus a new criterion that must be met.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The selection criteria are sufficiently flexible to include controversial outsiders.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Each university determines its own eligibility criteria.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
This theory outlines criteria that are important when deciding which assets are worth buying.
Mishkin, Frederic S. Financial Markets, Institutions and Money (1995)
Decide on the criteria for assessing the skill and make them as specific and clear as you can.
O'Connor, Joseph & Seymour, John Training with N.L.P. (1994)
Raising capital against the buy-to-let will be possible subject to standard lender criteria.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Over the last three centuries British defence policy had to meet three criteria if it was to succeed.
French, David The British way in Warfare - 1688-2000 (1990)
Lenders have been quietly relaxing their criteria to make sure borrowers can still afford to trade up the housing ladder as prices move further out of reach.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
They may also score very highly on the relatively restricted criteria of a standard IQ test.
Evans, Peter & Deehan, Geoff The Descent of Mind - the how and why of intelligence (1990)
The UK has set strict sustainability criteria to make sure that biomass is not sourced from rainforests, for example.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
In other languages
criterion
British English: criterion /kraɪˈtɪərɪən/ NOUN
A criterion is a factor on which you judge or decide something.
The bank is reviewing its criteria for lending money.
American English: criterion
Arabic: مِعْيار
Brazilian Portuguese: critério
Chinese: 标准
Croatian: kriterij
Czech: kritérium
Danish: kriterium
Dutch: criterium
European Spanish: criterio
Finnish: kriteeri
French: critère
German: Kriterium
Greek: κριτήριο
Italian: criterio
Japanese: 基準
Korean: 기준
Norwegian: kriterium
Polish: kryterium
European Portuguese: critério
Romanian: criteriu
Russian: критерий
Latin American Spanish: criterio
Swedish: kriterium
Thai: เกณฑ์
Turkish: ölçüt
Ukrainian: критерій
Vietnamese: tiêu chí
Chinese translation of 'criterion'
criterion
(kraɪˈtɪərɪən)
Word forms:plcriteria (kraɪˈtɪərɪə)
n(c)
标(標)准(準) (biāozhǔn)
(noun)
Definition
a standard by which something can be judged or decided
Exam results shouldn't be the only criterion for your choice of school.
Synonyms
standard
systems that were by later standards absurdly primitive
test
The test of any society is how it treats its minorities.
rule
An important rule is to drink plenty of water.
measure
The local elections were seen as a measure of the government's success.
principle
a violation of the basic principles of Marxism
proof
par
norm
Their actions departed from what she called the commonly accepted norms of behaviour.
canon
These measures offended all the accepted canons of political economy.
gauge
The index is the government's chief gauge of future economic activity.
yardstick
an exceptional vintage by any yardstick
touchstone
Job security has become the touchstone of a good job.
bench mark
Usage note
The word criteria is the plural of criterion and it is incorrect to use it as an alternative singular form; these criteria are not valid is correct, and so is this criterion is not valid, but not this criteria is not valid.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of canon
Definition
a general rule or standard
These measures offended all the accepted canons of political economy.
Synonyms
rule,
standard,
principle,
regulation,
formula,
criterion,
dictate,
statute,
yardstick,
precept
in the sense of gauge
Definition
a standard for estimating people's feelings or reactions
The index is the government's chief gauge of future economic activity.
Synonyms
indicator,
test,
rule,
standard,
model,
measure,
guide,
basis,
pattern,
index,
sample,
par,
guideline,
criterion,
meter,
yardstick,
touchstone,
exemplar
in the sense of measure
The local elections were seen as a measure of the government's success.