point of no return

noun phrase

1
: the point in the flight of an aircraft beyond which the remaining fuel will be insufficient for a return to the starting point with the result that the craft must proceed
2
: a critical point at which turning back or reversal is not possible

Examples of point of no return in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Daniel Nugent-Bowman’s article at The Athletic early that month signaled things had reached a point of no return for Broberg. Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025 Shapiro can name the moment in 2019 that the entertainment giants hit the point of no return with their cable assets. Michael Schneider, Variety, 12 Feb. 2025 Whether the health behavior in question is smoking cessation or physical activity, human beings who commit to the process of change will typically arrive at a point of no return. Matt Parrott, arkansasonline.com, 19 Jan. 2025 Editors’ Picks The Justice Department’s lawyers described Friday’s hearing as a point of no return. Carol Rosenberg, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for point of no return

Word History

First Known Use

1941, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of point of no return was in 1941

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Point of no return.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/point%20of%20no%20return. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on point of no return

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!