break-even point

noun

1. the point at which the income from sale of a product or service equals the invested costs, resulting in neither profit nor loss; the stage at which income equals expenditure.

Word History and Origins

Origin of break-even point¹

An Americanism dating back to 1935–40

Example Sentences

The break-even point — which is when the difference between getting smaller Social Security checks for longer or larger checks for shorter balances out — is in the early 80s, after all.

Read more on MarketWatch

Cash flow is positive over the life of the contract, but it takes time to reach the break-even point.

Read more on Barron's

Barron’s warned last year it was getting too pricey, and indeed the shares have lagged so far in 2025, hovering around the break-even point year to date.

Read more on Barron's

She adds that economists and Fed officials have to get their heads around the fact that there’s going to be fewer jobs a month needed to hit the break-even point for employment growth because of the falloff in immigration.

Read more on Barron's

More than 50% of the cups were returned, which organizers say surpasses the “environmental break-even point” — meaning they were better for the environment than single-use cups.

Read more on Los Angeles Times