break-even point

American

noun

the point at which the income from sale of a product or service equals the invested costs, resulting in neither profit nor loss; the stage at which income equals expenditure.

Etymology

Origin of break-even point

An Americanism dating back to 1935–40

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Chief Executive Officer Marcus Lemonis said in a letter to shareholders the year-over-year revenue gap was narrowing, and that the company had lowered its break-even point for profitability by focusing on improving margins.

From The Wall Street Journal

That break-even point is usually somewhere in a person’s early 80s, although the actual age depends on taxes and inflation, advisers say.

From MarketWatch

In the near term, the slowdown in population growth will likely keep the break-even point of job creation–or the number of new jobs the U.S. economy must create monthly to keep the unemployment rate in check—fairly low over the coming year.

From Barron's

The mine’s break-even point of $1,291 an ounce is lower than many of South Africa’s big mines, which typically operate deeper underground in more challenging conditions.

From The Wall Street Journal

That makes the break-even point between subscription and purchase at 81 months, or almost seven years.

From Barron's

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023