turning point
Americannoun
-
a point at which a decisive change takes place; critical point; crisis.
-
a point at which something changes direction, especially a high or low point on a graph.
-
Surveying. a point temporarily located and marked in order to establish the elevation or position of a surveying instrument at a new station.
noun
-
a moment when the course of events is changed
the turning point of his career
-
a point at which there is a change in direction or motion
-
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
-
surveying a point to which a foresight and a backsight are taken in levelling; change point
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of turning point
First recorded in 1850–55
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.
Having $100,000 invested has long been considered a turning point after which your assets start compounding in a faster, more significant way.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 22, 2026
Astronomers have reached a major turning point in the search for life beyond Earth by detecting an atmosphere around a rocky, Earth-like planet located in another star's habitable zone.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 21, 2026
Lecornu described the two countries' ties as being at a "turning point", saying that France sought to deepen cooperation particularly on security and counterterrorism.
From Barron's ● Jul. 16, 2026
The turning point came midway through the second half, when Swiss striker Breel Embolo crumpled in a heap, apparently the victim of a violent foul.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 12, 2026
Dumbledore’s triumph, and its consequences for the Wizarding world, are considered a turning point in magical history to match the introduction of the International Statute of Secrecy or the downfall of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.
From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling
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.
