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

The closer the spacecraft gets to its point of no return (its first contact with sufficiently thick air to hit the brakes on its orbital velocity), the more certain the forecasts will become. —Lee Billings, Scientific American, 7 May 2025

And because of that unknown, the Canucks are going to listen to outside expressions of interest in case the situation reaches a point of no return. —Chris Johnston, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025

Towards the end of the season, the true breaking point for Paul is the point of no return. —Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 6 June 2025

It’s set in Bilbao-Zuria, in 2077, when climate disaster has reached a point of no return. —Annika Pham, Variety, 6 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1941, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for point of no return

• adjourn
• concern
• decern
• discern
• downturn
• extern
• heartburn
• interne
• nocturne
• sunburn
• unworn
• upturn