single point of failure
A 'single point of failure' describes a critical part of a system whose malfunction can cause the entire system to fail.
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Definition
C1Technology
(technical)A component in a system that, if it fails, causes the entire system to stop working.
Example
- The server was a single point of failure, and when it crashed, the whole network went down.
C1Engineering
(technical)A crucial part of a system that can bring down the entire operation if it malfunctions.
Example
- The design had a single point of failure in the cooling system, which led to the shutdown of the entire plant.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "single point of failure":