trigger point

noun

: a localized usually tender or painful area of the body and especially of a muscle that when stimulated gives rise to pain elsewhere in the body

Examples of trigger point in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Mavs owe Williams $200,000 if he isn’t waived by July 7, so that’s the likely trigger point for a decision, although the two sides could agree to postpone the date to allow more time to use his contract in a potential trade. —John Hollinger, New York Times, 17 June 2025

Many different treatment options include oral and topical medications, physical therapy, and trigger point therapy. —Laura Dorwart, Verywell Health, 2 May 2025

Now, Spieth speaks of reframing his past, viewing his public blunders as information, rather than trigger points. —Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025

Get Up, Stand Up Rather than laying your body on a ball, which applies your entire weight to the trigger point in question, try different positions. —Calin Van Paris, Outside Online, 10 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1891, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for trigger point

• counterpoint
• disappoint
• multipoint
• needlepoint
• reappoint
• adjoint
• anoint
• appoint
• checkpoint
• conjoint
• disjoint
• endpoint

Medical Definition

trigger point

noun

: a localized usually tender or painful area of the body and especially of a muscle that when stimulated gives rise to pain elsewhere in the body

A trigger point in the calf muscle can also cause discomfort or weakness in the heel or arch; a trigger point in the thigh may cause pain around the knee.

—Runner's World

called also trigger area, trigger zone