Criteria is typically a plural noun referring to standards on which a judgement can be made. Its singular form is criterion, but evidence shows that criteria is frequently used as a singular as well as a plural.

Criteria are often the particular requirements that someone or something must meet in order to be considered or qualify for something. An applicant for a job may be evaluated based on several …

3 meanings: → See criterion 1. a standard by which something can be judged or decided 2. philosophy a defining characteristic.... Click for more definitions.

In standard usage, the plural is generally criteria, although criterions is sometimes used as well. Properly speaking, the form criteria should never be a singular noun, and phrases like this criteria and single …

Definition of criterion noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. a standard or principle by which something is judged, or with the help of which a decision is made. The main criterion is value …

It met all our criteria; a stable employment, reasonably priced homes, a state college and a regional hospital. Few cases met fell within our criteria. So also he has drawn a close parallel between the …

Although criteria is sometimes used as a singular, most often in speech and rather infrequently in edited prose, it continues strongly in use as a plural in standard English, with criterion as the singular.

A criterion is a standard for judging something. If you are holding a cupcake competition, your number one criterion might be the smoothness of frosting.

plural of criterion (Definition of criteria from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

Criterion is defined as “a standard on which a judgment or decision may be based” or “a characterizing mark or trait.” The former of these is the meaning in question when one says, “An important criterion …