melting point: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1technical/scientific, formal, occasionally figurative
Quick answer
What does “melting point” mean?
The specific temperature at which a solid substance changes into a liquid state.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The specific temperature at which a solid substance changes into a liquid state.
A figurative expression for the moment or condition at which something (e.g., a person's patience, a political situation) becomes unstable or undergoes a critical change.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or form. The compound noun is written with a space in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical technical connotations. Figurative use is equally possible in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in scientific/technical contexts in both regions. Figurative use is moderately rare in both.
Grammar
How to Use “melting point” in a Sentence
The melting point of [SUBSTANCE] is [NUMBER].[SUBSTANCE] has a melting point of [NUMBER].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “melting point” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The technician will melt-point the alloy sample.
- We need to melt-point these polymers.
American English
- The lab will melt point the compound.
- They melt-pointed the substance for analysis.
adjective
British English
- The melting-point data was inconclusive.
- We consulted the melting-point chart.
American English
- The melting point data was inconclusive.
- Check the melting-point temperature.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially used metaphorically in discussions of market volatility or labour relations (e.g., 'Tensions are reaching their melting point.').
Academic
Common in chemistry, physics, materials science, and engineering texts for the precise scientific meaning.
Everyday
Limited. Most laypeople understand the concept but rarely use the precise term outside specific contexts (e.g., cooking, discussing materials).
Technical
Core term in relevant scientific and industrial fields. Used with precision and standardised measurement units (°C, K, °F).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “melting point”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “melting point”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “melting point”
- Using 'melting point' to mean 'boiling point'.
- Omitting the definite article ('the') in specific references (e.g., 'The melting point of wax is...', not 'Melting point of wax is...').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
For a pure substance, under the same conditions, the melting point and freezing point are theoretically the same temperature. However, 'melting point' emphasises the transition from solid to liquid, while 'freezing point' emphasises the transition from liquid to solid.
Yes, but this is a metaphorical extension. It is used to describe a situation or a person's tolerance reaching a critical limit (e.g., 'After the third complaint, her patience reached its melting point.').
Melting point is the temperature at which a solid becomes a liquid. Boiling point is the temperature at which a liquid becomes a gas (vapour). They are distinct phase-change temperatures.
Both patterns are correct and common. 'The melting point of [X]' uses the noun phrase as the subject. '[X] has a [high/low] melting point' uses the substance as the subject and 'melting point' as the object of the verb 'has'.
The specific temperature at which a solid substance changes into a liquid state.
Melting point is usually technical/scientific, formal, occasionally figurative in register.
Melting point: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɛltɪŋ pɔɪnt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɛltɪŋ pɔɪnt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “reach melting point”
- “at melting point”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of an ice cube 'melting' into water at a specific 'point' (0°C). This is its melting point. Different solids melt at different 'points' on the temperature scale.
Conceptual Metaphor
STABILITY IS SOLIDITY / CHANGE OR COLLAPSE IS MELTING (e.g., 'His resolve reached its melting point.').
Practice
Quiz
In a figurative sense, what does 'reaching its melting point' typically describe?