epochal

American  

[ep-uh-kuhl, ee-po-] / ˈɛp ə kəl, ˈi pɒ- /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or of the nature of an epoch.

2. extremely important, significant, or influential.

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Other Word Forms

• epochally adverb
• nonepochal adjective
• preepochal adjective
• unepochal adjective

Etymology

Origin of epochal

First recorded in 1675–85; epoch + -al ¹

Explanation

Epochal describes events so important and significant they have the power to usher in a new epoch. In other words they're "epoch-making." The big bang. The moment when man learned to make fire. The day your braces were removed. These events are epochal in that they mark the dawn of a new era, or epoch, of time. Both epoch and epochal derive from the Latin epocha, which in turn derives from the Greek epekhein, which combines epi "on" with ekhein "to hold," and means to pause or take up a position. Think of epochal events as worthy of an arrow on the timeline of history.

Example Sentences

These rankings help focus on the fact that what we’re experiencing now is generationally, almost on an epochal level, different.

From Slate • Mar. 30, 2026

Going much further back, oil prices also rocketed during the epochal crisis of World War II in the 1940s.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 20, 2026

For a cricket-mad nation long waiting for its women to stand shoulder to shoulder with its men, this triumph felt epochal - the spark of a new era.

From BBC • Nov. 3, 2025

Pember’s journalism and advocacy, along with that of a growing number of writers and activists, both Native and not, are making clear the scope and impact of one major pillar of this epochal injustice.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2025

Lieutenant Scheisskopf unveiled his epochal surprise that Sunday with all the aplomb of an experienced impresario.

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller

Related Words

• consequential
• crucial
• decisive
• eventful
• far-reaching
• fateful
• historic
• meaningful
• memorable
• notable
• pivotal
• significant
• weighty