criterion
UK: kraɪˈtɪəriən | US: kraɪˈtɪriən
n. a standard or principle by which something is judged or decided
n. (formal) a defining characteristic of a particular group or concept
The word "criterion" originates from Greek kritērion (κριτήριον), meaning "a means for judging." It is derived from krites (judge) and the suffix -ion, which forms nouns indicating instruments or results. The root crit (from Greek krinein, "to decide or separate") reflects the idea of discernment. Over time, the term evolved in English to denote a standard for evaluation, retaining its core logic of judgment.
The primary criterion for admission is academic excellence.
Transparency is a key criterion in assessing government accountability.
The committee established strict criteria for selecting the award winner.
Creativity alone is not a sufficient criterion for this role.
The study failed to meet the scientific criteria for validity.