a pivot point

Meanings

1. 1nouncountabletechnical

   The central point on which something turns or balances.

   Grammar: Countable: a pivot point, two pivot points. Often used with 'on': the pivot point of the lever.

   Patterns

   • the pivot point of something
   • at the pivot point
   • around a pivot point

   The wheel turns around a pivot point in the center.

   The pivot point of the seesaw is in the middle.

   He adjusted the pivot point to make the door swing smoothly.

2. 2nouncountablefigurative

   A key moment or central factor on which a situation or decision depends.

   Grammar: Countable: the pivot point, a pivot point. Often used with 'of' or 'for': the pivot point of the negotiations.

   Patterns

   • the pivot point of something
   • a pivot point for something
   • reach a pivot point

   The election was a pivot point in the country's history.

   The discovery became the pivot point for a new field of research.

   We have reached a pivot point in the project and must decide how to continue.

3. 3nouncountablesport

   In basketball, the foot that stays fixed while the other foot moves.

   Grammar: Countable: a pivot point, the pivot point. Often used with 'on': keep your pivot point on the floor.

   Patterns

   • keep a pivot point
   • on the pivot point

   The player kept his pivot point and passed the ball.

   You cannot move your pivot point once you stop dribbling.

Word forms

Common combinations

the pivot point of

The pivot point of the machine is here.

reach a pivot point

The talks reached a pivot point yesterday.

a key pivot point

This is a key pivot point for the company.

Synonyms and how they differ

fulcrum

A more technical word for the point on which a lever turns; 'pivot point' is more general.

turning point

Used for a moment of change in a situation; 'pivot point' can also mean a physical point.

center

The middle of something; 'pivot point' emphasizes that something turns or depends on it.

Word family

pivot noun

The central pin or point on which something turns.

pivot verb

To turn around a central point.

Commonly confused: a pivot point or pivot?

Practice

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