single point of failure

Definition

A component in a device, or a point in a network, that, if it were to fail, would cause the entire device or network to fail (normally eliminated by adding redundancy).

Example Sentences

• "The Jesus nut got its name because it is a single point of failure — if it goes, there's nothing you can do but pray."
• "The intact twine in Dylan's beef Wellington was a single point of failure."