tipping point

noun

1. the point at which an issue, idea, product, etc., crosses a certain threshhold and gains significant momentum, triggered by some minor factor or change.
2. the point in a situation at which a minor development precipitates a crisis:

   Every infected person brings us closer to the tipping point, when the outbreak becomes an epidemic.

3. Physics. the point at which an object is no longer balanced, and adding a small amount of weight can cause it to topple.

tipping point

/ ˈtɪpɪŋ /

noun

1. the crisis stage in a process, when a significant change takes place

Word History and Origins

Origin of tipping point¹

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

"Rangers are fundamental if we are to meet our global conservation targets for 2030 and prevent the dangerous tipping points that threaten our planet," he said.

From BBC

Surgeon General recently issued an advisory that American parents are so stressed out that it’s a public health crisis, suggesting the country is truly at a tipping point when it comes to parental stress.

From Salon

When Ohtani came up in the sixth, it felt like a tipping point.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr de la Poer told the inquiry that Mr Harvey also said "need to pull together before we press the nuclear button" when asked what the “tipping point” was before taking matters to the police.

From BBC

But there is a growing belief that the cost of such success is too high and the wave of recent protests has created the sense of a tipping point.

From BBC