Tipping point

Tipping point

The term tipping point describes a point at which a slow gradual change becomes irreversible and then proceeds with gathering pace. It is derived from the metaphor of a rigid solid object being tilted to a point where it begins to topple.

It can particularly refer to:

In science

* Tipping point (sociology), a term in sociology referring to the moment when something previously unique becomes common
* Tipping point (climatology), a point in the evolution of the earth's climate leading to irreversible change.
* In engineering the tipping point is the maximum stable slope a bulk granular material (such as sand) can assume before it slips down the slope.

In the arts and media

* The Tipping Point (book), a book by Malcolm Gladwell expanding on the sociological term
* The Tipping Point (album), a musical album by Philadelphia-based hip hop group The Roots
* The Tipping Point (band), a band from Greeley, Colorado
* Tipping Point (band), a band from Stockton, California
* Tipping Point (arts), a UK-based organisation facilitating conversations between artists and scientitst on the role of the arts in climate change.
* Tipping Point (2007 TV movie), a mystery-thriller starring Katheryn Winnick.

In business

* TippingPoint, a computer security provider and a division of 3Com


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • tipping point — UK US noun [S] ► a time during an activity or process when an important decision has to be made or when a situation changes completely: a tipping point in sth »Many developed countries are getting close to a tipping point in their attitude to the …   Financial and business terms

  • tipping point — noun The point in a process at which an irreversible momentum is reached • • • Main Entry: ↑tip * * * ˈtipping point 7 [tipping point] noun the point at which the number of small changes over a period of time reaches a level where a further small …   Useful english dictionary

  • tipping point — Small changes may have little effect until they build up to critical mass, then the next small change may suddenly change everything. this is the tipping point …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • Tipping-Point — Der Begriff tipping point (deutsch: Umkipp Punkt) bezeichnet jenen Punkt oder Moment, an dem eine vorher lineare Entwicklung durch bestimmte Rückkopplungen abrupt abbricht, die Richtung wechselt oder stark beschleunigt wird („qualitativer… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • tipping point — n. In epidemiology, the concept that small changes will have little or no effect on a system until a critical mass is reached. Then a further small change tips the system and a large effect is observed. Example Citation: Epidemics have their own… …   New words

  • Tipping point — Un tipping point, qu on peut traduire par « point de basculement sociologique », « point critique sociodynamique », « seuil de tolérance » ou « angle de repositionnement », est une expression de la… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • tipping point — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms tipping point : singular tipping point plural tipping points 1) a time when important things start happening in a situation, especially things that you cannot change 2) medical the time during an epidemic when… …   English dictionary

  • tipping point — /ˈtɪpɪŋ pɔɪnt/ (say tiping poynt) noun 1. (in epidemiology) the point at which the number of sufferers of an infectious disease reaches a critical mass that can produce an epidemic. 2. the point at which small changes which individually have no… …  

  • tipping point —    Small changes may have little effect until they build up to critical mass, then the next small change may suddenly change everything. this is the tipping point.   (Dorking School Dictionary) …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • Tipping point —   Small changes may have little effect until they build up to critical mass, then the next small change may suddenly change everything. this is the tipping point …   Dictionary of English idioms

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