breaking point

American  

noun

1. the point at which a person, object, structure, etc., collapses under stress.

2. the point at which a situation or condition becomes critical.

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breaking point British  

noun

1. the point at which something or someone gives way under strain

2. the moment of crisis in a situation

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Etymology

Origin of breaking point

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

This is stretching the word’s definition past its breaking point.

From Salon • Apr. 13, 2026

“It’s extremely sad. International law seems to be at a breaking point in the Persian Gulf.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026

I think you’re seeing these characters at the breaking point.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

It fractured under the same stretching conditions, indicating that viscosity is a key factor in this solid-like breaking behavior and suggesting that many simple liquids may share a similar breaking point.

From Science Daily • Mar. 30, 2026

The issue of circumcision school never came up between me and my father, but there was no doubt that the incident had strained our relationship to a breaking point.

From "Kaffir Boy: An Autobiography" by Mark Mathabane