tipping point

Definition

The point at which a slow, reversible change becomes irreversible, often with dramatic consequences.

Etymology

First use of the term appears c. 1959 in the New York Times.

Example Sentences

• "It is a scenario climate scientists have feared since first identifying "tipping points" - delicate thresholds where a slight rise in the Earth's temperature can cause a dramatic change in the environment that itself triggers a far greater increase in global temperatures."
• "Some researchers worry that rainforests will soon reach a tipping point — a point of no return in which the once-lush forests transition to arid regions."
• "Climate scientists have detected warning signs of the collapse of the Gulf Stream, one of the planet’s main potential tipping points."