cusp
n. countablen. the point in time when something is just about to change into something else. You are on the edge of a new experience or stage.
n. a point of transition between two different states or conditions. Often used in the prepositional phrase 'on the cusp of' to indicate an imminent change.
The young scientist is on the cusp of a major discovery.
The country stood on the cusp of a technological revolution that would change how everyone worked.
Many historians argue that the late eighteenth century sat on the cusp of modernity, balancing traditional social hierarchies against the rising tide of industrial innovation.
Usage
Commonly used with the preposition 'of' to describe being at the edge of a significant event.
Last updated May 9, 2026