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
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.
These last 14 games are absolutely not the defining moment of this Knicks season. Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 14 Mar. 2026 Chief technology officer Greg Hitz said the technology reaching customer validation represents a defining moment for the company. Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 11 Mar. 2026 This is why Miami Heat 2025-26 now has its defining moment. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2026 But Breanna Stewart, who has built a career on delivering in the biggest of championship moments, had another championship legacy-defining moment. Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for defining moment

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Defining moment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defining%20moment. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.

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!

More from Merriam-Webster