breaking point
Americannoun
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the point at which a person, object, structure, etc., collapses under stress.
-
the point at which a situation or condition becomes critical.
noun
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the point at which something or someone gives way under strain
-
the moment of crisis in a situation
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of breaking point
First recorded in 1895–1900
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
For the new Canadian prime minister, reading intelligence reports detailing the gravity of the crisis, it was a breaking point.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026
But for the new prime minister, reading intelligence reports detailing the gravity of the crisis, it was a breaking point.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026
Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz warned Wednesday that the country was at a "breaking point" after nearly a month of protests that have caused shortages of food, fuel and life-saving medicine.
From Barron's ● May 27, 2026
"We're significantly concerned that these incidents are going to push the service past breaking point," he said, calling for more investment.
From BBC ● May 20, 2026
My classmates, motivated by a desire to “save” me, pestered me until I all but reached the breaking point.
From "Black Boy" by Richard Wright
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
