Which of the following best defines "essential" as per the content?

The term "essential" is defined as something that is of the utmost importance. This denotes that the item or concept in question is critical and fundamentally necessary for achieving a certain objective or meeting specific needs. In various contexts, including equipment and facilities management, understanding what is essential helps prioritize resources, efforts, and decisions, ensuring that the most important elements are addressed first to facilitate effective operations and outcomes. In contrast, other options suggest varying degrees of importance that do not accurately capture the significance implied by "essential." For instance, minimal or moderate importance indicates a lesser priority, while describing something as not necessary outright negates its value, which contradicts the interpretation of "essential."