tipping point

noun

: the critical point in a situation, process, or system beyond which a significant and often unstoppable effect or change takes place

Examples of tipping point in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web And the tipping point was when party leaders became convinced after the debate that Biden could not defeat Trump, whom Democrats consider to be an existential threat. —

Nathaniel Rakich, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2024 Suddenly, every issue is viewed as a possible tipping point that could hasten further decline in national power. —

Daniel W. Drezner, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2024 Our research has shown that there are ways to intervene to accelerate the shifts, so that the consumption tipping point comes sooner, averting illness and death. —

Jonathan Quick, TIME, 9 Aug. 2024 Burrell’s speech is evidence of a tipping point where Burrell, the Black church, and the gospel music industry can recognize and accept us all as people of faith and as worthy of Black liberation as anyone else. —

Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 25 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for tipping point

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tipping point.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1959, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of tipping point was in 1959

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Tipping point.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tipping%20point. Accessed 17 Sep. 2024.

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