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

No distractions are too minor when it comes to the Suneung, which many see as a culmination of years of formal education - and a turning point that determines their university placements, careers, and social statuses.

From BBC

These events were “catalytic” for the uranium industry and a turning point for Mr Curyer's company NexGen, which is behind the largest in-development uranium mine in Canada.

From BBC

Lorenz tells me that a turning point for the internet happened in 2011, when Facebook turned the “wall” into a “timeline,” which was designed to help people look back at their lives online.

From Slate

So he brought artists, executives and elder black American statesmen together for a secret summit in 1995, hoping it would be a turning point.

From BBC

"And so I think that realisation that you can do various things and there are various ways to overcome and solve these puzzles is sort of a turning point of whether you become used to using the echoes in the new game system."

From BBC

Related Words

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