turning point
Americannoun
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a point at which a decisive change takes place; critical point; crisis.
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a point at which something changes direction, especially a high or low point on a graph.
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Surveying. a point temporarily located and marked in order to establish the elevation or position of a surveying instrument at a new station.
noun
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a moment when the course of events is changed
the turning point of his career
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a point at which there is a change in direction or motion
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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
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surveying a point to which a foresight and a backsight are taken in levelling; change point
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.
Egypt said the deal could be a "turning point" while Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called it a "historic step towards peace".
From Barron's • Jun. 15, 2026
Others would characterize the plague less as a turning point than a speed bump that slowed Europe’s inevitable ascent.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 12, 2026
The ex–MTV reality cast member will not be mayor, but his candidacy will mark a turning point in Los Angeles and California politics.
From Slate • Jun. 9, 2026
Björk’s ‘Hunter’ music video was a turning point for me.”
From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026
As a witness to this turning point in American history, young Isaac Granger remembered it well.
From "In the Shadow of Liberty" by Kenneth C. Davis
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.
