focal point

noun

Definition of focal point

Examples of focal point in a Sentence

This port was the focal point of trade two centuries ago.
Recent Examples on the Web The attempt to unionize the Amazon fulfillment center in Bessemer, Alabama, has become the focal point of a growing struggle between Corporate America and labor groups to unionize within companies and states that have resisted such efforts. Ryan Nobles And Brian Fung Cnn Business, CNN, "Sanders invites Bezos to testify before Senate Budget Committee," 12 Mar. 2021 Georgia has been a focal point in the conversation of election security in the wake of recent Democratic gains in the state. Mike Brest, Washington Examiner, "Hotly contested Georgia voting restriction bill heads to state Senate," 2 Mar. 2021 Mostly unnoticed on ordinary days, the ghostly, eroded statue at the end of Pennsylvania Avenue became a focal point in the news footage of the violent afternoon and remains an enigmatic emblem of its aftermath. Abigail Tucker, Smithsonian Magazine, "The Tragic Irony of the U.S. Capitol’s Peace Monument," 26 Feb. 2021 Clashes between Trump loyalists and those who want the party to move past him will be a focal point in the ex-president’s upcoming Senate impeachment trial and in Republican fights for Senate seats up for grabs in next year’s midterm races. Los Angeles Times, "Trump leaves GOP with an identity crisis. First test: Virginia," 27 Jan. 2021 The capacity restrictions, which have been most severe for restaurants, breweries and bars, have become a focal point of controversy in an ongoing debate over how best to handle the coronavirus pandemic in the city. Emily Goodykoontz, Anchorage Daily News, "Anchorage Assembly condemns violence at U.S. Capitol, extends COVID-19 emergency declaration into April," 13 Jan. 2021 The country, already caught up in the broader tug-of-war between East and West in European politics, has now also become a focal point in the geopolitics of coronavirus vaccines — so far, to Ukraine’s detriment. New York Times, "In Vaccine Geopolitics, a Great Game Played With Ukrainians’ Health," 9 Jan. 2021 In June, social justice became a focal point in the workplace after the killing of George Floyd. Johnny C. Taylor Jr., USA TODAY, "Is my workplace being ageist? Ask HR," 30 Dec. 2020 Mensah's shootings have been a focal point in Wauwatosa for five years. Evan Casey, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Joseph Mensah, the Wauwatosa police officer who has fatally shot three people in the last five years, is resigning," 17 Nov. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'focal point.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of focal point

1692, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Time Traveler for focal point

Time Traveler

The first known use of focal point was in 1692

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Statistics for focal point

Last Updated

27 Mar 2021

Cite this Entry

“Focal point.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/focal%20point. Accessed 2 Apr. 2021.

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More Definitions for focal point

focal point

noun

English Language Learners Definition of focal point

: a center of activity, interest, or attention

focal point

noun

Medical Definition of focal point

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Comments on focal point

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