defining moment
noun
: the time that shows very clearly what something is really about
That was the campaign's defining moment.
Examples of defining moment in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This main event promises a high-stakes encounter, holds the potential to be a defining moment in both wrestlers' careers, and perhaps concludes a storyline that has faced considerable criticism.
—
Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
Superman, which opens in theaters July 11, will be a defining moment for Safran.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 31 Mar. 2025
Knightly also, famously, wore a white off-the-shoulder crop top with low rise bootcut jeans, which was a defining moment of Y2K style.
—Marissa Muller, WWD, 1 Mar. 2025
The coming year promises to be a defining moment for innovation, where decarbonization efforts, AI evolution, and sustainable fuels take center stage.
—Ethan Stone, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defining moment
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.
Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
Superman, which opens in theaters July 11, will be a defining moment for Safran.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 31 Mar. 2025
Knightly also, famously, wore a white off-the-shoulder crop top with low rise bootcut jeans, which was a defining moment of Y2K style.
—Marissa Muller, WWD, 1 Mar. 2025
The coming year promises to be a defining moment for innovation, where decarbonization efforts, AI evolution, and sustainable fuels take center stage.
—Ethan Stone, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defining moment
Cite this Entry
“Defining moment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defining%20moment. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share