the state of a substance in which two of its phases have the same temperature, pressure, and volume
Also called: critical point
critical state in American English
noun
Physics
the state of a pure element or compound when it is at a critical point
Word origin
[1895–1900]This word is first recorded in the period 1895–1900. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: Marxism, backstage, cutback, frame of reference, hit-and-run