defining moment

American  

noun

1. a point at which the essential nature or character of a person, group, etc., is revealed or identified.

---

Etymology

Origin of defining moment

First recorded in 1980–85

Example Sentences

“Today marks the next phase of the Arm compute platform and a defining moment for our company.”

From Barron's

But in the defining moment of High Point’s season, and Johnston’s career, he had no control over where he was shooting from.

From The Wall Street Journal

The company said at the time that “as we enter a defining moment shaped by AI, there is no one better than Aneel to lead this next chapter.”

From Barron's

The gaffe became a defining moment of Quayle’s term.

From The Wall Street Journal

Kaja Kallas, who leads the European Commission’s foreign and security policy, described the killing of Khamenei as “a defining moment in Iran’s history.”

From The Wall Street Journal