turning point

American  

noun

turning points plural

1. a point at which a decisive change takes place; critical point; crisis.

2. a point at which something changes direction, especially a high or low point on a graph.

3. Surveying. a point temporarily located and marked in order to establish the elevation or position of a surveying instrument at a new station.

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turning point British  

noun

1. a moment when the course of events is changed

   the turning point of his career

2. a point at which there is a change in direction or motion

3. 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

4. surveying a point to which a foresight and a backsight are taken in levelling; change point

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• turning points
  plural

Etymology

Origin of turning point

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

She was only 25, but it was a turning point.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 1, 2026

“The performance of risk assets and energy markets in recent days portends a turning point in the Middle East conflict,” the economists wrote.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 26, 2026

The reopening of the key waterway and a U.S. waiver on Iranian oil sales following an interim deal between Washington and Tehran marked a significant turning point for Gulf crude markets.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 25, 2026

"January 3, 2026 marked a turning point in national politics and in our view of international relations," she said.

From Barron's • Jun. 22, 2026

This was a turning point in his life: Henry told Elizabeth that it was then that he became a dedicated abolitionist, who brought the topic of slavery up in almost every discussion.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling

Related Words

• climax
• critical point
• crux
• culmination
• juncture
• twist