defining achievement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "defining achievement" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant accomplishment that characterizes or exemplifies a person's or organization's success. Example: "Winning the Nobel Prize was a defining achievement in her career as a scientist."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

A defining achievement of American bureaucracy is that even assaults on its authority wind up generating more bureaucracy.

The New Yorker

It was a defining achievement in the early days of the automobile and for the nascent women's movement in America.

The New York Times

More than anything, the LRB shop's defining achievement of the last five years, if I may modestly boast, has been the events programme.

The Guardian - Books

Lucia's infamous mad scene – the defining achievement of any production of this opera – was reframed as a moment of furious brutality; a psychotic break rather than brittle unravelling.

The Guardian - Music

She was there for him at the beginning, during countless swoops and dives, and here at the moment of what might prove to be the defining achievement of his career.

The Guardian - Sport

"Confronting and vanquishing a tropical river would be my defining achievement," Tayler explains in FACING THE CONGO (Ruminator Books, $27), his absorbing if somewhat irony-deficient book about the journey.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

But we scarcely learn how Washington succeeded in unifying delegates at the Constitutional Convention or what the defining achievements were in his presidency (aside from matters of title and protocol).

The New York Times - Arts

The manned exploration of space is one of the defining achievements of humanity and should not be abandoned in favour of less expensive robotic missions after the Nasa Shuttle's last flight, the man who has spent the most time in space said yesterday.

Independent

Potemkin's defining achievements include the peaceful annexation of the Crimea (1783) and the successful second Russo-Turkish War (1787 1792).

Wikipedia

New York's dramatic reduction in crime is one of the defining achievements of the last 20 years, a success that underpins so much of our city -- our economy, our neighborhoods, our quality of life.

Huffington Post

Any one of these would be a career-defining achievement for a senator.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "defining achievement", ensure it clearly and specifically identifies the accomplishment that best exemplifies a person's, group's, or organization's success or impact.

Common error

Avoid using "defining achievement" for minor successes or accomplishments. Reserve it for truly significant milestones that have a lasting impact or uniquely characterize the subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "defining achievement" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "defining" modifies the noun "achievement". This phrase is used to identify a particular accomplishment as the most significant or representative of a person's, group's, or organization's work.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "defining achievement" is a noun phrase used to highlight the most significant accomplishment associated with a person, group, or organization. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and readily usable in written English. Its register ranges from neutral to formal, most commonly appearing in news and scientific contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure it truly reflects the most impactful or representative success, and consider alternatives like "landmark accomplishment" or "signature success" for nuanced emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

landmark accomplishment

Emphasizes the historical significance and impact of the achievement.

signature success

Highlights an achievement that is particularly characteristic or representative of someone's work.

crowning glory

Suggests the peak or most celebrated accomplishment in a series of achievements.

major milestone

Focuses on the achievement as a significant marker of progress or development.

career-defining moment

Specifically refers to an achievement that significantly shapes or alters one's career trajectory.

seminal accomplishment

Highlights the lasting influence and importance of the achievement.

legacy-defining feat

Emphasizes the enduring impact and historical importance of the achievement.

signal achievement

Highlights the achievement that gives the most significant data to measure progress.

key triumph

Focuses on an achievement that is important for its triumph and impact.

benchmark success

Suggests the achievement sets a standard against which others are measured.

FAQs

How can I use "defining achievement" in a sentence?

Use "defining achievement" to describe a pivotal accomplishment that signifies the essence of someone's success. For example, "The Oslo peace accords were Shimon Peres' "defining achievement"."

What are some alternatives to "defining achievement"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "landmark accomplishment", "signature success", or "crowning glory", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "defining achievement" in formal writing?

Yes, "defining achievement" is suitable for formal writing. Ludwig shows it is used in news articles, scientific publications and books, indicating its acceptance in various professional and academic contexts.

What makes an achievement 'defining'?

A 'defining' achievement is one that significantly shapes the perception or understanding of someone's work, career, or legacy. It's an accomplishment that stands out as particularly representative or influential.