: point, apex: such as
a
: a point of transition (as from one historical period to the next) : turning point
also : edge, verge
on the cusp of stardom
… you're on the cusp between heat exhaustion and life-threatening heatstroke. Mark Jannot
b
: either horn of a crescent moon
c
: a fixed point on a mathematical curve at which a point tracing the curve would exactly reverse its direction of motion
d
: an ornamental pointed projection formed by or arising from the intersection of two arcs or foils (see foil entry 2 sense 4)
e(1)
: a point on the grinding surface of a tooth
(2)
: a fold or flap of a cardiac valve
cuspate adjective
cusped adjective

Illustration of cusp

Illustration of cusp
  • 1 cusp d

Examples of cusp in a Sentence

the cusp of a tooth medical researchers who are on the cusp of a major breakthrough
Recent Examples on the Web These solutions will substantially lower the barriers to 5G deployment, offering Dell a competitive edge in a market at the cusp of exponential growth driven by the global rollout of 5G technology. Steve McDowell, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 Kalen DeBoer, who lifted Washington from four wins to the cusp of a national championship in two seasons, accepted Alabama’s offer on Friday. Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2024 From his early childhood to the cusp of a half-century, Black Thought presents an origin story on par with his superhero status in the hip-hop multiverse. Ron Hart, SPIN, 8 Dec. 2023 The remote island that straddles the cusp of the Caribbean and the Atlantic is just a 20 minute flight from Providenciales (and is not to be confused with the Belize island Ambergris Caye). Shannon McMahon, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2023 At the cusp of the 20th century, pigeon messenger services existed in Spain, Russia, Italy, France and Germany. Alice George, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Nov. 2023 One popular number supporting this argument: Trade as a share of global output peaked in 2008 at the cusp of the global financial crisis and has never recovered. Josh Zumbrun, WSJ, 3 Nov. 2023 Robbie and Isabel Walker are a brother and sister living on the cusp of great change. Hillary Kelly, Los Angeles Times, 9 Nov. 2023 The 24-year-old went from late-night rap battles in their living room to the cusp of rap stardom. Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 7 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cusp.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin cuspis point

First Known Use

1585, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cusp was in 1585

Dictionary Entries Near cusp

Cite this Entry

“Cusp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cusp. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

cusp

noun
: a point or pointed end or part: as
a
: either of the pointed ends of a crescent moon
b
: a point on the grinding surface of a tooth
c
: a fold or flap of a heart valve

Medical Definition

cusp

noun
1
: a point on the grinding surface of a tooth
2
: a fold or flap of a cardiac valve
cuspal adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on cusp

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