turning point
A 'turning point' signifies a moment of significant change, whether in everyday life, mathematics, or storytelling.
Definition
B2General
(common)A moment or event that leads to a significant change in a situation or course of action.
Example
- The signing of the peace treaty was a turning point in the conflict.
- Deciding to go back to school was a turning point in her career.
C1Mathematics
(technical, academic)A point on a graph where the direction changes, indicating a maximum or minimum value.
Example
- The graph shows a turning point at x = 3, where the function changes from increasing to decreasing.
C1Literature
(academic)A moment in a narrative that leads to a significant change in the plot, often leading to the climax.
Example
- The discovery of the hidden letter was the turning point of the story.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "turning point":
tipping pointbreaking pointtransition pointinflection pointdefining momentcritical pointpivot pointpoint of no returnrallying pointsticking pointtake pointhigh pointon the turnturn aboutaction pointemotional pivotstarting pointdouble pointpoint of departurepoint of referenceturn the corner