Of great importance or significance, having serious and lasting consequences or impact.
From Latin 'momentosus' meaning important, derived from 'momentum' meaning impetus or significance. The word originally referred to physical weight but evolved to describe importance or impact.
The D-Day invasion was called 'momentous' because strategists knew in real-time they were changing history—but most momentous events go unrecognized when they happen, only gaining importance later when we look back.
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