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.
Is this just old grievances piling up to a point of no return? James Mirtle, The Athletic, 29 Aug. 2024 Bananas takes his feud with Michele past the point of no return. Joe Reid, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2024 The bond would fund the demolition of the 300 building, which has been sitting unused after a February hailstorm damaged the roof and created flood damage past the point of no return. Keri Heath, Austin American-Statesman, 18 Oct. 2024 The point of no return came in December when the junta announced that, instead of organizing elections in February, as promised, their plan was to stay in power for up to five years. Stephen Smith, Foreign Affairs, 10 Mar. 2022 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

Dictionary Entries Near point of no return

Cite this Entry

“Point of no return.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/point%20of%20no%20return. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.

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