defining moment

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of defining moment¹

First recorded in 1980–85

Example Sentences

The defining moment for Sri Lanka came in the 14th over as Sciver-Brunt drilled Ranaweera to Udeshika Prabodhani at short mid-wicket, struck firmly but at a comfortable height before bursting through the fielder's hands.

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The piece positions Kimmel’s potential response as a defining moment that will signal whether people of influence can stand up to presidential intimidation or will succumb to self-censorship.

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Despite the string of prominent politicians speaking on Sunday night, the defining moment came when Erika Kirk, Charlie's widow, took the stage.

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Yet while this would prove Higuita's globally defining moment, it was just another chapter in the unique story of a keeper who scored 43 career goals, inspired a game-changing new law and had only recently returned to the Colombia squad after being sent to prison for his part in a cartel kidnapping.

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This is a recognition that this autumn's Budget will not just be a defining moment of the next few months but of this entire government, however long it lasts.

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