Adjective

(en adjective)

Relating to, or characteristic of life.

vital''' energies; '''vital''' functions; '''vital actions

Necessary to the continuation of life; being the seat of life; being that on which life depends.

The brain is a vital organ.

* Spenser

Do the heavens afford him vital food?

Invigorating or life-giving.

Necessary to continued existence.

The transition to farming was vital for the creation of civilisation.

Relating to the recording of life events.

Birth, marriage and death certificates are vital records.

Very important.

It is vital that you don't forget to do your homework.

* {{quote-magazine, date=2012-12-14

, author=Simon Jenkins, authorlink=Simon Jenkins , title=We mustn't overreact to North Korea boys' toys , volume=188, issue=2, page=23 , date=2012-12-21 , magazine= citation , passage=David Cameron insists that his latest communications data bill is “vital to counter terrorism”. Yet terror is mayhem. It is no threat to freedom. That threat is from counter-terror, from ministers capitulating to securocrats.}}

Containing life; living.

* Milton

spirits that live throughout, vital in every part

* Alexander Pope

The dart flew on, and pierced a vital part.

Capable of living; in a state to live; viable.

* Sir Thomas Browne

Pythagoras and Hippocrates affirm the birth of the seventh month to be vital .

Adjective

(en adjective)

Directly related, connected, or pertinent to a topic.

His mother provided some relevant background information concerning his medical condition.

Not out of date; current.

* {{quote-news, year=1973, date=December 20, title=Hansen says Christmas time for thanks, hope, work=The Aberdeen Times citation

, passage=The message of Christmas is still relevant as we near the end of a troubled year and the beginning of an uncertain but challenging new year.}}

* {{quote-book, year=2008, author=Scott Cooper, Fritz Grutzner, Birk Cooper, title=Tips and Traps for Marketing Your Business, publisher=McGraw-Hill, isbn=978-0071494892 citation

, passage=Motorola was quickly losing the cell-phone battle to Nokia for a time. When they launched the RAZR phone and combined it with their "Hello Moto" campaign, it made the brand relevant again.}}