turning point

American  

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.

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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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Etymology

Origin of turning point

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

Warsh has been a critic of the Fed’s monetary policy decision-making process, and his tenure will be a turning point for the institution.

From Barron's

A January 7 phone call appears to have been a turning point between the two leaders.

From Barron's

Gonzalez said this marks a turning point in college, as Colorado’s stance on fines “blurs the lines of whether college sports are now mirroring pro sports.”

From MarketWatch

Many cite 2002 as a turning point for the industry, when a strike by oil workers against Chávez's government was followed by a sweeping overhaul of PDVSA.

From BBC

It was also a turning point for many in Europe.

From Barron's

Related Words

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