# turning point

CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/turning-point
Updated: 2026-07-28

## Definition

a moment or event when a very important change starts to happen. It is the time when a situation begins to get much better or much worse.

For teachers: a crucial moment at which a decisive change in a situation occurs, especially one with beneficial results. Refers to a figurative pivot in time or circumstance rather than a literal physical rotation.

## Examples

- Winning that match was the turning point for the team.
- The invention of the steam engine was a major turning point in the history of human industry.
- Historians often debate which specific battle served as the true turning point of the war, as several key events contributed to the eventual shift in momentum.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.