tipping point

noun

1. the point at which an issue, idea, product, etc., crosses a certain threshhold and gains significant momentum, triggered by some minor factor or change.

2. the point in a situation at which a minor development precipitates a crisis.

   Every infected person brings us closer to the tipping point, when the outbreak becomes an epidemic.

3. Physics.,  the point at which an object is no longer balanced, and adding a small amount of weight can cause it to topple.

tipping point

/ ˈtɪpɪŋ /

noun

1. the crisis stage in a process, when a significant change takes place

Word History and Origins

Origin of tipping point¹

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

The prince called for "courage, co-operation and unwavering commitment" to tackle the climate crisis, warning of a "critical tipping point" ahead.

Read more on BBC

The tipping point came in Berlin, in November 1989, when the East German government gave in to pressure to ease travel across the Berlin Wall.

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Scientists say every tenth of a degree over 1.5C magnifies dangerous and costly impacts -- such as drought, heat, fire and floods -- while increasing the risks of passing large-scale tipping points.

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“At the moment, no country has reached the tipping point, in part because the ECB is there in the background,” said Rahman.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Together, these factors paint a picture of softening growth and fading inflationary pressures outside of tariffs, a mix that supports additional easing as the labor market sits uncomfortably close to a tipping point.

Read more on MarketWatch