juncture

IPA/ˈdʒʌŋktʃə(r)/
KK[dʒˈʌŋktʃɚ]IPA/ˈdʒʌŋktʃər/

juncture — noun

  • juncturesingular
  • juncturesplural

1. A specific moment in a situation or sequence of events when something important

1.nounC1
Definition

A specific moment in a situation or sequence of events when something important is happening, changing, or needs a decision.

Example

At this juncture, the board must decide whether to close the factory.

key phrase: at this juncture

The peace talks reached a dangerous juncture after both sides rejected the deal.

adjective + juncture for a crucial moment

Common collocations
  • at this juncture
  • critical juncture
  • dangerous juncture
  • key juncture
Synonyms
  • moment

    is much more general and can describe any time, without the formal or important tone of juncture

  • stage

    usually means one step in a process, whether or not it is especially important

  • turning point

    more strongly suggests that events change direction after this point

Grammar Patterns

at this juncture

at a critical juncture

reach a juncture where + clause

Usage Note

Most often used for an important or delicate point rather than any ordinary stage. It commonly appears in formal writing with at this juncture or with adjectives such as critical, dangerous, or key.

Common Mistakes

At this juncture of the meeting, we took lunch.
At this stage of the meeting, we took lunch.
Juncture usually suggests an important or deciding moment, not just any ordinary part of an event.
We are at an early juncture of the project.
We are at an early stage of the project.
Stage is better for one planned step, while juncture stresses a notable point where something matters.

2. The place or line where two parts meet and are joined to each other.

2.nounC2
Definition

The place or line where two parts meet and are joined to each other.

Example

Water leaked through the juncture between the old pipe and the new valve.

pattern: juncture between A and B

A dark crack ran along the juncture of the wall and ceiling.

pattern: juncture of A and B

Common collocations
  • juncture between
  • juncture of
  • structural juncture
  • bone juncture
Synonyms
  • junction

    is the more common everyday word, especially for roads, lines, or systems that meet

  • joint

    often refers to a place of connection in a structure or in the body

  • seam

    suggests a narrow joining line, especially in cloth, skin, or other materials

Grammar Patterns

the juncture between + noun + and + noun

the juncture of + noun + and + noun

at the juncture where + clause

Usage Note

Usually followed by between or of to name the two parts that meet. This sense is more common in technical, formal, or descriptive writing than in everyday conversation.

Common Mistakes

Meet me at the road juncture by the station.
Meet me at the road junction by the station.
Junction is the usual everyday word for roads or rail lines, while juncture is more formal and descriptive.
The painter cleaned the juncture from the wall and floor.
The painter cleaned the juncture between the wall and floor.
Juncture usually names the meeting point by linking the two parts with between or of.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Juncture is a formal word for a particular point in events, especially one that feels important or delicate. Moment is broader and can describe any time, even a brief one with no special importance. Stage usually means one step in a process, so it is better when you are talking about planned progress rather than a crucial point. Turning point goes further than juncture because it suggests that events actually change direction after that point. Crossroads is often figurative and emphasizes choice between different paths. A report may reach a difficult juncture before a final vote, while a patient may pass through several stages of treatment. If the decision changes everything, turning point is often the sharper choice.

moment ↗stage ↗turning pointcrossroads ↗

Etymology

LatinEnglish

Juncture comes from a Latin word linked to joining. In early English it referred to a place where parts meet, and later it also came to describe a point in events where things come together in an important way.

First known use

14th century

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a