1
a
: of the utmost importance
a vital clue
vital resources
b
: fundamentally concerned with or affecting life or living beings: such as
(1)
: tending to renew or refresh the living : invigorating
(2)
: destructive to life : mortal
2
a
: concerned with or necessary to the maintenance of life
vital organs
blood and other vital fluids
b
: existing as a manifestation of life
3
: full of life and vigor : animated
4
: characteristic of life or living beings
5
: recording data relating to lives
6
: of, relating to, or constituting the staining of living tissues
Synonyms
Examples of vital in a Sentence
These matters are vital to national defense.
The sciences are a vital part of the school curriculum.
your heart, lungs, and other vital organs
Exercise keeps her young and vital.
Recent Examples on the Web
With tourism as the country’s biggest industry, resorts play a vital role in the protection of coral reefs.
—
Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 7 Apr. 2024
The omnipresence of the smartphone, even in conflict zones, means there is always a way to get many vital visuals on a story out.
—Tom Soufi Burridge, ABC News, 7 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for vital 
Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 7 Apr. 2024
The omnipresence of the smartphone, even in conflict zones, means there is always a way to get many vital visuals on a story out.
—Tom Soufi Burridge, ABC News, 7 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for vital
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vital.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Vital.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vital. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
vital
adjective
vi·tal
ˈvīt-ᵊl 
1
: concerned with or necessary to the continuation of life
the heart and lungs are vital organs
2
: full of vitality : animated
3
: characteristic of life or of living things
vital activities
4
: destructive of life : fatal
a vital wound
5
: of first importance
a vital clue
Etymology
Middle English vital "alive, full of life, relating to life," from Latin vitalis "of life," from vita "life"
Medical Definition
vital
adjective
vi·tal
ˈvīt-ᵊl
1
a
: existing as a manifestation of life
b
: concerned with or necessary to the maintenance of life
vital organs
blood and other vital fluids
2
: characteristic of life or living beings
vital activities
3
: recording data relating to lives
vital records
4
: of, relating to, or constituting the staining of living tissues
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