tipping point

== English == === Etymology === First use of the term appears c. 1959 in the New York Times. === Noun === tipping point (plural tipping points) (mathematics, catastrophe theory, figuratively, by extension) The point at which a slow, reversible change becomes irreversible, often with dramatic consequences. (sociology) A point in time when a group rapidly and dramatically changes its behavior by widely adopting a previously rare practice. The point in time at which some new technology becomes mainstream. (climatology) An irreversible change in the climate system. Coordinate term: tipping element ==== Derived terms ==== tipping-point state ==== Translations ==== ==== See also ==== catastrophe theory critical point watershed moment turning point === Further reading === tipping point (physics) on Wikipedia.Wikipedia tipping point (sociology) on Wikipedia.Wikipedia tipping points in the climate system on Wikipedia.Wikipedia