turning point

noun

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.

turning point

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of turning point¹

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

KS: What has been a turning point in your career?

From BBC

"I'm not thinking about a turning point," he said.

From BBC

A turning point in Alan Roth’s script is when she turns down Forrest’s marriage proposal after living with him for a while.

From Salon

But her next album, 2013's Beyoncé, was a turning point – a disruptive, experimental, futuristic R&B album that set the template for the third act of her career.

From BBC

Her creation, now known as Rumour Base, was ranked number one eyeshadow base in the market by NikkieTutorials on YouTube – this was a turning point for the business.

From BBC

Related Words

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