defining moment

noun

1. a point at which the essential nature or character of a person, group, etc., is revealed or identified.

Word History and Origins

Origin of defining moment¹

First recorded in 1980–85

Example Sentences

Everyone in government understands as this source says: “We absolutely know it is the defining moment for the party and our government, this is it.”

From BBC

The defining moment of the Dodgers’ season went by almost completely unnoticed.

From Los Angeles Times

Both incidents were controversial, but Norris and his McLaren team were more concerned by the defining moment of the Austin race with four laps to go.

From BBC

For all the Lakers, the defining moment for them was finally beating the hated Boston Celtics in the 1985 NBA Finals.

From Los Angeles Times

The event marked a defining moment for the newly opened theater: While the COVID-19 pandemic, economic headwinds and changes in the theatrical film model have led to the closure of several popular L.A.-area cinemas, such as Hollywood’s Arclight Cinerama Dome, Westwood’s Regency Village and Fox Bruin theaters and Landmark’s Westside Pavillion location, Esparza is moving in the opposite direction, taking a multimillion-dollar gamble with the opening of Milagro at the Norwalk Town Square shopping mall.

From Los Angeles Times