critical mass
noun/ˌkrɪtɪkl ˈmæs/
/ˌkrɪtɪkl ˈmæs/
[uncountable, singular]- (physics) the smallest amount of a substance that is needed for a nuclear chain reaction to take place
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- the minimum amount of resources, number of customers, etc. needed to start or support a project or an activity; the minimum size that a project or activity needs to be in order to be successful
- The company needs one million customers to reach critical mass and start making a profit.
- TV via internet could only be developed once a critical mass of households had broadband access.
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critical mass