turning point

American  

noun

1. a point at which a decisive change takes place; critical point; crisis.

2. a point at which something changes direction, especially a high or low point on a graph.

3. Surveying. a point temporarily located and marked in order to establish the elevation or position of a surveying instrument at a new station.

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turning point British  

noun

1. a moment when the course of events is changed

   the turning point of his career

2. a point at which there is a change in direction or motion

3. maths a stationary point at which the first derivative of a function changes sign, so that typically its graph does not cross a horizontal tangent

4. surveying a point to which a foresight and a backsight are taken in levelling; change point

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Etymology

Origin of turning point

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

Turning point: Vice President Harris faces a critical moment as President Biden passes the halfway point of his term.

From Washington Post • Jan. 30, 2023

Nat Travis, from addiction charity Turning point, said a well-known person speaking out was a boost for organisations looking to encourage people to access help and support.

From BBC • Jul. 28, 2022

He pinned that letter to his Twitter feed a few years ago, with the comment: “August 21, 2000. Turning point in my academic career.”

From Scientific American • Sep. 25, 2017

Frame 15 - Turning point? 50-39 behind, Carter missed a tricky brown after a red as Bingham cleared from yellow to pink to close to 8-7.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2016

Turning point in my life at the Yale Commencement of 1856; Dr. Wayland's speech.

From Autobiography of Andrew Dickson White — Volume 1 by White, Andrew Dickson

Related Words

• climax
• critical point
• crux
• culmination
• juncture
• twist